Wests Tigers vice-captain Chris Lawrence says Sunday's game against the Cowboys is as big as they come as the team looks to keep their top eight hopes alive with a win.
Currently sitting equal on points with the New Zealand Warriors (8th) and Penrith Panthers (9th) heading into Sunday's game, Lawrence said that with just five games remaining in the season, the team simply had to keep winning if they want to make the top eight — labelling Sunday's clash against the defending premiers a "do-or-die" contest.
"It's a massive game for us," Lawrence said. "There's no doubting that.
"They're the reigning premiers and in good form — obviously they lost last week but they still played really well — so it's a massive test to see where we're at.
"It's do-or-die for us now."
Lawrence was forced into the halves midway through the Club's last start win over the Parramatta Eels to replace the injured Luke Brooks, who will miss the next three weeks with a knee injury. Yet while admitting his presence would be missed come Sunday, Lawrence said he had full confidence in his team to cover the loss, praising stand-in halfback Jack Littlejohn's ability to come in and do the job needed for the team.
"It's a massive loss for us," Lawrence conceded. "He's been massive for us this year.
"He's really been playing some consistent footy in the last six to eight weeks, and it's no surprise with him and Mitch playing well, our team has been putting on good performances.
"He's going to be a loss, but in saying that, Jack Littlejohn has been playing really well in reserve grade. He played at the start of the year and filled in for Brooksy fine, so he'll definitely be able to fill those shoes."
See what Chris had to say about Sunday's game against the Cowboys in the video above!
Sunday afternoon footy returns to Leichhardt Oval when we take on the Cowboys!
