Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has named a 22-man squad for Friday night’s Round 14 match against the Dragons in Wollongong.
Match: Dragons v Wests Tigers
Round 14 -
home Team
Dragons
9th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
There are a few changes to the side which lost to the Cowboys in Round 12 with a new-look centre pairing and another player in line to make his NRL debut.
The absence of David Klemmer (suspension) and Isaiah Papali’i (ankle) means the team will field a reshuffled forward pack.
Alex Twal shifts from lock to prop, with both Alex Seyfarth and Justin Matamua elevated to the starting side.
There are a couple of new faces on the bench with Sione Fainu recalled to the side for just his second NRL game, and Reuben Porter preparing to make his NRL debut.
Porter, a 27-year-old prop, has been waiting several years for this opportunity. The New Zealand born forward is in his first year at Wests Tigers after playing seven seasons in the NSW Cup.
Justin Olam and Brent Naden both return to the side after serving one game suspensions from Magic Round. Olam slots straight back into the centres, while Naden has been named in the No.14 jersey.
Charlie Staines shifts into the centres with former Dragons player Alex Lobb named on the wing after making his NRL debut against the Cowboys as 18th man.
Team List:
1. Jahream Bula - sponsored by Exclusive Estate Agents
2. Alex Lobb - sponsored by Gavmanak
3. Charlie Staines- sponsored by Mater Dei on behalf of the Kirk Family
4. Justin Olam - sponsored by Ultra Building Works
5. Solomon Alaimalo - 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. Alex Twal - sponsored by Tidda Workforce
11. Samuela Fainu - sponsored by Murray Kennedy Real Estate
12. Alex Seyfarth - sponsored by The Meat Man
13. Justin Matamua - sponsored by LC Wealth
Interchange:
14. Brent Naden - sponsored by Ellis Consolidated
15. Fonua Pole - sponsored by MARS Forklifts
16. Sione Fainu - sponsorship available
17. Reuben Porter - sponsorship available
Reserves:
18. Tallyn Da Silva - sponsored by All Occasion Cruises
19. Solomona Faataape - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
20. Kit Laulilii - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
21. Asu Kepaoa - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
22. Jordan Miller - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
Coach: Benji Marshall - sponsored by Pepper Money
