After an uninspiring effort against Penrith last week, Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has named a team for their second trial that looks like the likely starting 13 for the 2020 season.
Indeed the 23-man squad for Sunday’s hit out against the New Zealand Warriors at Rotorua International Stadium is only missing Matt Eisenhuth because of a foot injury.
However the big forward will be available for selection in the club’s season opener on March 15.
After sitting out last week’s 32-4 loss to Penrith, co-captain Moses Mbye and Benji Marshall will both start against the Warriors this Sunday, joining the likes of Corey Thompson, David Nofoaluma, Luke Brooks, Chris Lawrence, Robert Jennings, Alex Twal and Josh Aloiai in the 23 man squad.
After Adam Doueihi featured in the number one jersey in last week’s trial, Thompson, pictured below, will start at fullback this week.
Another new recruit, Joey Leilua, will play his first game for the
club on the right edge alongside Samoan teammate Nofoaluma, while Mbye will
start on the left edge inside Jennings having played there in the latter half
of the 2019 campaign.
Utility Billy Walters will start in the number nine jersey after strong
performances in the club’s NRL Perth Nines campaign as well as against Penrith
last week, with Josh Reynolds to come off the bench after being named in jersey
15.
After starting last week against Penrith, Luciano Leilua will again start in
the back row this week, alongside his brother Joey on the right edge.
Luke Garner starts on the left with Aloiai at lock.
The 24-year-old Aloiai returns from a hand injury suffered late last
year having played 17 matches in 2019.
Kickoff for the match is at 12 noon AEDT.
WESTS
TIGERS
1. Corey Thompson
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Joseph Leilua
4. Moses Mbye (co-captain)
5. Robert Jennings
6. Benji Marshall (co-captain)
7. Luke Brooks
8. Thomas Mikaele
9. Billy Walters
10. Alex Twal
11. Luke Garner
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Josh Aloiai
Interchange:
14. Michael Chee Kam
15. Josh Reynolds
16. Adam Doueihi
17. Oliver Clark
18. Chris Lawrence
19. Alex Seyfarth
20. Chris McQueen
21. Zane Musgrove
22. Tommy Talau
23. Elijah Taylor
