Wests Tigers Head Coach Ivan Cleary will be hoping to welcome back a number of key forwards for Sunday’s clash against the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium.
Tim Grant (hamstring) has been named to return from for his first game since Round 15, while Josh Aloiai (knee) has also been included amongst the reserves in jersey 21.
If Aloiai is included, it’ll be the second year forward’s first game since Round 11 — a welcome inclusion for Wests Tigers given Sauaso Sue’s unavailability with suspension.
As per Sunday’s late change, Joel Edwards will start in the back row in place of Sue, while Malakai Watene-Zelezniak and Kevin Naiqama will partner on the left edge. Rookie centre Moses Suli (ankle) remains unavailable after missing last week’s game.
Matt McIlwrick starts in place of Jacob Liddle — who suffered a shoulder injury last week — and looks likely to play big minutes with no second hooker on the bench.
With no backs listed on the interchange bench or reserves, it’s shaping as a big bench for Wests Tigers this Sunday with Matt Eisenhuth, Alex Twal and Michael Chee Kam joining Grant as the interchanges, while Kyle Lovett, Jack Littlejohn and JJ Felise are reserves.
Parramatta will welcome back Manu Ma’u from a knee injury in the only change to this week’s team, with Ma’u slotting in to the back row in place of Kenny Edwards.
That sees David Gower drop out of the 17, with the forward joining Peni Terepo, Kirisome Auva’a and John Folau on the reserves list for Sunday’s game at ANZ Stadium.
As a part of Stay Kind Day, both Wests Tigers and the Parramatta Eels will replace their major sponsor logos with the Stay Kind branding for the Round 20 game, with thanks to Brydens Lawyers for generously giving up their major sponsor branding for this special event.
Be there at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, July 23 when we take on the Parramatta Eels!
WESTS TIGERS
In’s | Tim Grant, Michael Chee Kam
Out’s | Sauaso Sue, Jacob Liddle
Reserves | JJ Felise, Jack Littlejohn, Kyle Lovett, Josh Aloiai
Unavailable | Moses Suli (ankle), Jacob Liddle (shoulder), Sauaso Sue (suspension), Jamal Idris (knee), Justin Hunt (leg)
1. James Tedesco
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Esan Marsters
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
6. Tuimoala Lolohea
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods (capt.)
9. Matt McIlwrick
10. Ava Seumanufagai
11. Chris Lawrence
12. Joel Edwards
13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange:
14. Matt Eisenhuth
15. Alex Twal
16. Michael Chee Kam
17. Tim Grant
Reserves:
18. JJ Felise
19. Jack Littlejohn
20. Kyle Lovett
21. Josh Aloiai
Coach: Ivan Cleary
PARRAMATTA EELS
In’s | Manu Ma’u
Out’s | David Gower
Reserves | David Gower, Peni Terepo, Kirisome Auva’a, John Folau
Unavailable | Josh Hoffman (knee), Frank Pritchard (foot), Isaac De Gois (concussion), Beau Scott (bicep), Kaysa Pritchard (knee)
1. Clinton Gutherson
2. Semi Radradra
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Takairangi
5. Bevan French
6. Corey Norman
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Siosaia Vave
9. Cameron King
10. Tim Mannah (capt.)
11. Manu Ma'u
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Nathan Brown
Interchange:
14. Daniel Alvaro
15. Kenny Edwards
16. Suaia Matagi
17. Will Smith
Reserves:
18. David Gower
19. Peni Terepo
20. Kirisome Auva'a
21. John Folau
Coach: Brad Arthur
