Wests Tigers NYC Holden Cup Coach Brett Kimmorley has named his team to take on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in a sudden-death Semi Final this Friday night.
Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 5:15pm at Allianz Stadium, with live coverage via Fox Sports 1 as Wests Tigers’ NYC side look to keep their premiership hopes alive.
After being charged with a Grade 1 Dangerous Throw, Tyler Cassel has been suspended for one match and will miss Friday’s Elimination Final. Esan Marsters will move into the back row as his replacement with Thomas Grealy coming on to the interchange bench.
In another key change to the side, Veiru Mapesone — who starred coming off the bench at fullback during the second half — has been named to start in the No. 1 jersey, with John Tohi, who scored 14 tries in 18 games last year, included in the team on the bench.
Key forward Junior Tatola has been cleared from a concussion suffered in Sunday’s Elimination Final as Wests Tigers look to built on their confidence-boosting victory.
And despite only having a five-day turnaround between the two sudden-death finals matches, Kimmorley said he was confident in his side’s ability to get the job done.
“I gave our boys a massive wrap after the game [on Sunday] because they played very well,” he said. “They’ve trained extremely hard and have developed the ability to get into the arm-wrestle and defend with some confidence, which is really pleasing.
“This week will be another big test for us. Manly got beat on Saturday by Penrith and will be no doubt be disappointed coming off a loss, so you’ve got to take consider that.
“I think medically we’re all good which is great.
“I think if we hold the ball and go set-for-set, we’ve shown we’re a good footy side, and there’s no reason why we can’t get another good result on Friday night.”
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1. Veiru Mapesone
2. Ryland Jacobs
3. Obed Karwhin
4. Marion Seve
5. Jayden Wheelhouse
6. Te Maire Martin (capt.)
7. Jeremy Marshall-King
8. Junior Tatola
9. Jacob Liddle
10. JJ Felise
11. Esan Marsters
12. Bayley Sironen
13. Matthew Woods (capt.)
Interchange:
14. John Tohi
15. Pio Sokobalava
16. Raymond Stone
17. Thomas Grealy
Coach: Brett Kimmorley
