The Wests Tigers are on the road this week, heading to the James Hardie Centre of Excellence to take on the Parramatta Eels for Round 5 of the Jersey Flegg Cup.
A strong start to the season sees the Tigers poised in second place, with plenty of momentum behind them after travelling to Auckland last week and knocking the Warriors off the top of the table with a hard-fought victory.
The Tigers started off slow, conceding twice in the first eight minutes but fighting their way back into the contest to trail 16-14 at the break. Down by 10 with 11 minutes to play, the Tigers came home strong as they crossed for three tries to secure a memorable 36-30 triumph.
The squad will be ready for another big outing this week, particularly captain and five-eighth Heith Pritchard who comes off a hat-trick performance.
Shane Sultana has named his 18-man squad to take on the Eels, with only a handful of changes after last week’s win in Auckland.
Maxwell Taotua comes in for Ryder Huth in the centres, whilst Jeriko Talisau shifts to the interchange bench to make way for Jared Haywood at hooker.
Talisau will be joined on the bench by Pheonix Godinet, Peter Taai and Christian Taupau-Moors, with Ethan Roberts returning in the second row.
The Wests Tigers will be wearing a black armband in honour of the life of former teammate Noah Johannssen, who tragically passed last week.
Wests Tigers Team List: Round 5 vs Parramatta Eels
1. Logan Brookes
2. Joseph Partch
3. Xavier Tauaifaiga
4. Maxwell Taotua
5. Bilal El-Youssef
6. Heith Pritchard (c)
7. Bailey Smith
8. Sione Lolohea
9. Jared Haywood
10. Archie Duncombe
11. Byronn Laupepa
12. Ethan Roberts
13. Jeremiah Leatigaga
Interchange
14. Jeriko Talisau
15. Pheonix Godinet
16. Peter Taai
17. Christian Taupau-Moors
Reserve
18. Denzel Schaafhausen-Mino
