All the Round 23 team news!

Author: Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Tue 17 Aug 2021, 04:00 PM

Wests Tigers Coach Michael Maguire will welcome back captain James Tamou for Saturday’s clash against the Cronulla Sharks at Browne Park in Rockhampton.

Tamou missed the team’s last-start win over the North Queensland Cowboys with a minor foot injury, but will return this week as Wests Tigers search for three straight wins for the first time this season.

He will replace Thomas Mikaele in the front row after he accepted a one-game suspension along with Jacob Liddle. Rookie hooker Jake Simpkin will start in the number nine jersey with Liddle sidelined, while James Roberts is set for his first game since Round 16 after he was named on the bench.

Young forwards Kelma Tuilagi and Tuki Simpkins both retain their place on the bench alongside Joe Ofahengaue, with Billy Walters, Tom Amone, Jock Madden and Zac Cini rounding out the 21-man squad.

For the Sharks, Andrew Fifita (injury) and Aiden Tolman (suspension) will both miss this week's game — bringing Toby Rudolf to prop and Siosifa Talakai into the forward pack. Teig Wilton returns from a hamstring injury on the bench, while Mawene Hiroti is also back from a hand injury and will start in the centres.

Saturday’s game will be the first ever NRL fixture to be played at Rockhampton.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Saturday 21 Aug

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Tommy Talau

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Michael Chee Kam

Centre for Sharks is number 6 Connor Tracey
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 14 Luke Metcalf
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon Trindall

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake Simpkin

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 14 Joe Ofahengaue

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Aaron Woods
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Shawn Blore

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Siosifa Talakai
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jack Williams

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Kelma Tuilagi

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Tukimihia Simpkins

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Teig Wilton
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Billy Walters

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Billy Magoulias
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Tom Amone

Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Matt Moylan