Round 17: Media Wrap

Author: Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Fri 27 Jun 2025, 09:40 AM

As Wests Tigers prepare to face Manly tonight at 4 Pines Park, the week’s media spotlight fell on some of the club's leaders and emerging stars.

Watch via Wests Tigers YouTube

YouTube: Jarome Luai – Player Media

Co-captain Jarome Luai was full of praise for young half Latu Fainu, who will partner him in the halves for the first time in Friday’s clash.

Luai described Latu as “a real student of the game” and was excited to see what the talented playmaker could do across a full 80 minutes.

“We haven’t had much training and reps together,” said Luai. “But the fact we’re able to put some points together without the reps in the bank is really exciting.”

Luai also touched on the team's belief despite recent close losses and praised the impact of Alex 'Clarkey' Clarke in the lead-up to Beanie for Brain Cancer Round.

YouTube: Heath Mason – Player Media

Young gun Heath Mason, recently re-signed by the club, expressed his excitement about getting a consistent run in the NRL side at fullback, calling it “a good chance to build combinations”, particularly with Luai and Fainu in the spine.

“Benji’s given me a clear role,” said Mason.

“I've just gotta go out there, do my job and play good footy.”

Despite his youth, Mason has shown maturity beyond his years, focusing on development and learning from the club’s experienced leaders.

YouTube: Samuela Fainu – Player Media

Second-rower Samuela Fainu spoke candidly about his younger brother Latu's excitement this week.

“He’s one of the quietest in my family,” Samuela explained. “But you get him going on the field, he’ll definitely be the loudest one there.”

Fainu also spoke on the significance of Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, noting how personal the campaign is for the Tigers due to Alex Clarke's ongoing battle with the disease.

YouTube: Tony Sukkar – Player Media

Rising middle forward Tony Sukkar re-enters the 17 this week and said he’s determined to repay the belief shown in him by Benji Marshall.

“One of the biggest things he said to me is just to go out there and make my first run my best run, my first tackle my best tackle,” said Sukkar.

Sukkar echoed the sentiment of his teammates about sticking tight during a challenging period, praising Latu Fainu's strong defence and calm presence as a key to the team’s evolving combination.

Wests Tigers face the Manly Sea Eagles on Friday evening at 4 Pines Park, with plenty of youth, energy and belief in their corner.

Round 17 - Round 17 - Friday 27 Jun

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Lehi Hopoate

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Heath Mason
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam Doueihi
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tom Trbojevic

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 19 Jason Saab

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Latu Fainu

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Matthew Lodge

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jazz Tevaga

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Corey Waddell

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Jack Bird
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Sione Fainu
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Nathan Brown

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Tony Sukkar
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Luke Laulilii