Benji named in starting side for Eels clash

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] terrible refereeing decision last Friday night at Campbelltown Stadium cost the Wests Tigers the chance to make it three from here.

The Broncos won the game 9-7 and took home the two vital premiership points.

But Wests Tigers head coach Ivan Cleary is not one to let the grass grow under his feet.

A year since arriving at Concord it’s obvious Cleary prefers to look ahead rather than dwell on the past.

In any case, the two referees from the Broncos match have both been demoted by the NRL, not that it helps the Wests Tigers.

Undaunted, Cleary has named an unchanged lineup, including Benji Marshall at number 6, in the team that will take on the Parramatta Eels in the traditional Easter Monday challenge at ANZ Stadium.

Back-rower Chris Lawrence, who is in pretty good form so far,  has been named to captain the side on Monday.

Marshall is not a 100 percent certain starter, as he is still recovering from an ankle injury he picked up at Campbelltown last Friday night.

The Eels are winless in 2018 and their losses include an embarrassing flogging at the hands of Manly a couple of weeks ago.

But Cleary will be wary of a team desperate to get on the premiership scoreboard, and no doubt encourage his troops to continue defending like their lives depend on it.

Hopefully Cleary will also work on the Wests Tigers attack, because the team needs to score a few more points to get the rewards for working so hard in defence.

On Monday at 4pm the two sides will play for the Stay Kind Cup, which is raising awareness and support for the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation.

WESTS TIGERS NRL ROUND 4 TEAM
1. Corey Thompson
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Esan Marsters
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
6. Benji Marshall
7. Luke Brooks
8. Russell Packer
9. Pita Godinet
10. Ben Matulino
11. Chris Lawrence (c)
12. Robbie Rochow
13. Matt Eisenhuth

Interchange:
14. Matt McIlwrick
15. Alex Twal
16. Michael Chee Kam
17. Josh Aloiai

WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP ROUND 4
1. Watson Heleta
2. Lucas Price
3. Toni Tali
4. Taane Milne
5. Mahe Fonua
6. Tyson Gamble
7. Josh Drinkwater
8. Tim Grant
9. Patrice Siolo
10. Sauaso Sue
11. Chris McQueen
12. Luke Garner (capt.)
13. Bayley Sironen

Interchange
14. Joseph Ratu
15. JJ Felise
16. Cowen Epere
18. Braden Robson