Wests Tigers will look to build on an impressive last-start win when they take on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in their Round 15 clash this Friday night.
Missing their Origin stars and back-rower Curtis Sironen due to a neck injury, Wests Tigers led from start to finish to record an incredible 28-point win over the defending premiers — the biggest loss for the Rabbitohs since 2011 — and they’ll no doubt take plenty of confidence from that performance into Friday night’s match at Brookvale Oval.
In contrast, the Sea Eagles will be well rested after a bye in Round 14, and will be desperate to bounce back with a win following three straight defeats before last weekend.
The Geoff Toovey-coached side sit bottom of the ladder with just 10 points, but with a vast array of attacking talent, led by Daly Cherry-Evans, there’s no doubting that the Sea Eagles loom as a tough proposition on Friday night — particularly in front of their home fans.
With Origin players expected to back-up from both sides, it’s shaping as an intriguing clash on Friday, and one that could prove to be crucial later on in the season.
Who will walk away with the two competition points? Read on for a full match preview including all the key details, team news, analysis, statistics and much more!
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Match Details
Date — Friday, June 19, 2015
Time — 7:45pm AEST
Venue — Brookvale Oval, Manly
Match Officials
On-Field Referees — Jared Maxwell and Chris James
Touch Judges — Russell Turner and Adam Reid
Video Referees — Shayne Hayne and Daniel Irvine
TV, Live Stream and Radio Information
TV — Channel 9 (Live NSW and QLD)
Live Stream — NRL Digital Pass (subscription required)
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, FM 104.9 Triple M Sydney
Confirmed Squads
Wests Tigers |
|
South Sydney Rabbitohs |
James Tedesco |
1 |
Brett Stewart |
Kevin Naiqama |
2 |
Jorge Taufua |
David Nofoaluma |
3 |
Peta Hiku |
Tim Simona |
4 |
Steve Matai |
Pat Richards |
5 |
Tom Trbojevic |
Mitchell Moses |
6 |
Kieran Foran |
Luke Brooks |
7 |
Daly Cherry-Evans |
Aaron Woods (capt.) |
8 |
Luke Burgess |
Dene Halatau |
9 |
Matt Ballin |
Keith Galloway |
10 |
Willie Mason |
Kyle Lovett |
11 |
Blake Leary |
Chris Lawrence |
12 |
Tom Symonds |
Martin Taupau |
13 |
Dunamis Lui |
Ava Seumanufagai |
14 |
Feleti Mateo |
Matthew Lodge |
15 |
Jake Trbojevic |
Brenden Santi |
16 |
James Hasson |
Manaia Cherrington |
17 |
Ligi Sao |
Jack Buchanan |
21/22 |
Josh Starling |
Jason Taylor |
Coach |
Geoff Toovey |
For Wests Tigers, Aaron Woods returns from Origin duties and moves into the starting side at the expense of Sauaso Sue (shoulder). Jason Taylor has made no other changes to the side that beat Souths in Round 14, with Robbie Farah (elbow) not named despite playing State of Origin Game II on Wednesday night. For the Sea Eagles, captain Jamie Lyon is out of the side, with Peta Hiku moving into the centres and Tom Trbojevic on to the wing. Tom Symonds moves into the starting side for the suspended Justin Horo, while James Hasson comes on to a five-man bench that also includes Feleti Mateo.
2015 Recent Results
Wests Tigers
R9 — Sydney Roosters 36 def. Wests Tigers 4
R10 — Newcastle Knights 22 def. Wests Tigers 12
R11 — North Queensland Cowboys 8 def. Wests Tigers 0
R13 — Gold Coast Titans 27 def. Wests Tigers 20
R14 — Wests Tigers 34 def. South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
R8 — Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12 def. Melbourne Storm 10
R9 — Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 30 def. Newcastle Knights 10
R10 — Penrith Panthers 11 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 10
R12 — North Queensland Cowboys 18 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 14
R13 — Brisbane Broncos 44 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 10
Match History
• Against the Sea Eagles — Played 21, Won 8, Lost 13
• At Brookvale Oval — Played 7, Won 1, Lost 6
Numbers to Know
• 12 — Wests Tigers haven’t won at Brookvale Oval since 2003 (12 years).
• 200 — Keith Galloway will play his 200th first-grade match on Friday night.
• 63 — The Sea Eagles have converted just 63% of their tries this year.
• 11 — Luke Brooks ranks second in the league for try-assists this year with 11.
