Wests Tigers will have two players making their NRL debut in Saturday's first game of the season against the Raiders in Canberra.
Match: Raiders v Wests Tigers
Round 2 -
home Team
Raiders
1st Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
13th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Campbelltown junior Lachlan Galvin has earned a start at five-eighth and former Queensland Cup star Solomona Faataape will make his first NRL appearance in the centres.
Galvin represented the Australian Schoolboys last year after helping guide Wests Magpies to their first premiership in the Harold Matthews Cup in 2022.
Faataape joined Wests Tigers this season on a one-year development contract following a premiership-winning season with Brisbane Tigers in the 2023 Queensland Cup.
Coach Benji Marshall says Galvin and Faataape have worked hard for this opportunity.
"They have put in the work in pre-season and have earned their chance in the top grade," Marshall said
"It’s a special occasion for them, their families, and our team.”
Jayden Sullivan, Aidan Sezer and Samuela Fainu will also be making their first NRL appearance for Wests Tigers on Saturday.
Sullivan has been handed the No.7 jersey for the season-opener with Sezer and Fainu both named on the bench.
Justin Olam has been left out of the extended squad (knee) but is expected to be available for Wests Tigers first home game of the season in Round 3 against the Sharks at Leichhardt Oval.
Latu Fainu is also unavailable (hamstring) and is expected to return in Round 4.
Team List:
1. Jahream Bula - sponsored by Exclusive Estate Agents
2. Charlie Staines - sponsored by Gavmanak
3. Starford To'a - sponsored by Mater Dei on behalf of the Kirk Family
4. Solomona Faataape - sponsored by Ultra Building Works
5. Junior Tupou - sponsored by APN Compounding
6. Lachlan Galvin - sponsored by Leumeah Shopping Centre
7. Jayden Sullivan - sponsored by Club Menangle
8. Stefano Utoikamanu - sponsored by ZWealth Group
9. Apisai Koroisau (c) - sponsored by ZRealty Group
10. David Klemmer - sponsored by Tidda Workforce
11. Isaiah Papali'i - sponsored by Murray Kennedy Real Estate
12. John Bateman - sponsored by The Meat Man
13. Alex Seyfarth - sponsored by LC Wealth
Interchange:
14. Aidan Sezer - sponsored by Ellis Consolidated
15. Fonua Pole - sponsorship available
16. Alex Twal - sponsorship available
17. Samuela Fainu - sponsorship available
Reserves:
18. Asu Kepaoa - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
19. Tallyn Da Silva - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
20. Justin Matamua - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
21. Alex Lobb - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
22. Jake Simpkin - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
Coach: Benji Marshall - sponsored by Pepper Money