Team List: NRL Pre-season Challenge v Panthers

Wests Tigers NRL Head Coach, Benji Marshall has named a 28-man squad to take on the Penrith Panthers in the Club’s second Witzer Pre-Season Challenge fixture. 

The Tigers will play host to the Panthers at Leichhardt Oval as part of a double-header on Friday, 20 Febraury – kicking off in the second match of the evening at 8.10pm.

Marshall has named a combination of NRL Top 30, Development, NSW Cup and Wests Tigers Pathways players across an extended squad – bringing in several senior players who sat out the Tigers 42-26 victory over the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Co-captains Api Koroisau and Jarome Luai have been named for their first hit-out of the 2026 campaign, along with senior leaders, Adam Doueihi and Alex Twal.

New recruits, Bunty Afoa and Kai Pearce-Paul will make their first appearance in the orange, white and black after impressing throughout their first pre-season at Concord.

Heamasi Makasini retains his place in the starting side following a hat-trick against the Roosters, while Jared Haywood, Tino Tavana and Javon Andrews have also been named in the extended squad.

Wests Tigers Team List: Pre-season Challenge v Penrith Panthers 
 
1. Jahream Bula 
2. Heamasi Makasini 
3. Taylan May 
4. Star To’a 
5. Sunia Turuva 
6. Jarome Luai (c) 
7. Adam Doueihi 
8. Bunty Afoa  
9. Api Koroisau (c) 
10. Fonua Pole 
11. Samuela Fainu  
12. Kai Pearce-Paul 
13. Alex Twal  
14. Jock Madden  
15. Jack Attard  
16. Alex Seyfarth  
17. Sione Fainu  
18. Patrick Herbert 
19. Tony Sukkar 
20. Kit Laulilii 
21. Tristan Hope 
22. Heath Mason  
23. Luke Laulilii 
24. Jared Haywood 
25. Mavrik Geyer 
26. Tino Tavana 
27. Charlie Murray  
28. Javon Andrews 

Match details: 
Friday, 20 February 
Wests Tigers v Penrith Panthers 
Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt 
Kick-off: 8.10pm 
Tickets: Available via Ticketek 
Broadcast: Live on Fox League and Kayo Sports