Wests Tigers are desperate for an immediate rebound when they host the in-form Raiders in a Thursday-night blockbuster at Leichhardt Oval.
Benji Marshall's men suffered a tense one-point loss to Brisbane last weekend and the coach is calling for a quick response for their home fans.
Jarome Luai is set to take another step forward in his second game back from a knee injury and will look to develop his partnership with halfback Adam Doueihi.
Api Koroisau has been one of the form players across the opening seven rounds of the season and has another chance to press his claims for a NSW Origin recall.
Thursday's clash is the second at Leichhardt this year, with just a handful of tickets left for a blockbuster between the resurgent Tigers and reigning minor premiers.
After a slow start to the season, the Raiders have found their stride in recent weeks with back-to-back wins.
Canberra will be without Hudson Young, Josh Papalii in-form centre Simi Sasagi, who has a hamstring niggle.
Match: Wests Tigers v Raiders
Round 8 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
3rd Position
away Team
Raiders
13th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Wests Tigers: The Tigers are 1-19 with no late changes. Heamasi Makasini will miss Thursday's clash after suffering a foot injury in last week's tight loss to Brisbane. The youngster's absence has triggered a backline reshuffle, with Starford To'a set for his first NRL appearance of the season on the wing. Luke Laulilii also comes into the side in the centres. Jeral Skelton and Tony Sukkar dropped out 24 hours before kick-off.
Raiders: A big blow for Canberra, with Simi Sasagi ruled out with a slight hamstring strain. Savelio Tamale comes into the centres in a straight swap, with Owen Pattie added to the six-man bench. Morgan Smithies comes into the starting side 90 minutes before kick-off with Ata Mariota going to the bench. Joe Roddy is set to replace veteran forward Josh Papalii after the Samoan star was struck down with a calf injury. Noah Martin also gets his chance in the back row, with Hudson Young suspended for the next two weeks. Jake Clydsdale dropped out of the squad alongside Sasagi in Wednesday's team update.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Raiders is number 2 Sebastian Kris
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Taylan MayCentre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'aCentre for Raiders is number 19 Savelio Tamale
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Luke LauliliiWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jed Stuart
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam DoueihiHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Sanders
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell MayProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua PoleProp for Raiders is number 17 Morgan Smithies
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Zac Hosking
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Noah Martin
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jock MaddenInterchange for Raiders is number 8 Ata Mariota
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione FainuInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Jayden Brailey
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Royce HuntInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Daine Laurie
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Joe Roddy
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Patrick HerbertInterchange for Raiders is number 18 Chevy Stewart
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Tristan HopeInterchange for Raiders is number 20 Owen Pattie
Wests Tigers Ins
- Starford To'a
- Tristan Hope
Raiders Ins
- Chevy Stewart
- Owen Pattie
- Savelio Tamale
Wests Tigers Outs
- Heamasi Makasini
- Latu Fainu
Raiders Ins
- Hudson Young
- Josh Papalii
- Simi Sasagi
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers have won four of their last five games at Leichhardt Oval.
- The Raiders have won 10 of their last 11 games against the Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have not defeated the Raiders at Leichhardt Oval since 2010.
- Ricky Stuart has won six from seven at Leichhardt as Raiders coach and player.
- Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored seven tries in eight games at Leichhardt Oval.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
