If it’s 4pm on a Tuesday, the inbox always has an email from Wests Tigers naming their squad for their next scheduled game.
Today, with the club having sacked the coach, Michael Maguire, less than two hours before the official release of the team list, it’s fair to ask, who selected this team?
Brett Kimmorley’s name appears next to the title of coach, but surely Maguire would have handed in the list before the axe fell.
We will probably never know the answer to that question.
However, looking at some of the changes to the line up suggests Kimmorley – and indeed football director Tim Sheens – did have something to do with it before the emails were sent to the media.
In any case, whoever it was has named a 22-man squad for Sunday’s round 14 clash against Manly Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Local hero David Nofoaluma, pictured, who was believed to be on the outer with the former coach, returns on the wing after playing the last two games in NSW Cup.
It will be his first NRL appearance since a narrow loss to the Dragons in Round 8 and is certain to get a warm reception before his family and friends at Campbelltown.
Alex Twal is back in the squad after being rested last start (concussion).
Lacob Liddle replaces Jake Simpkin at hooker and Jock Madden returns to the side having played a leading role in the team’s Round 11 victory over Canterbury Bulldogs.
We will let you make up your own mind who picked the team:
1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Starford To’a
4. Brent Naden
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Luke Brooks
7. Jackson Hastings
8. James Tamou
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Zane Musgrove
11. Luke Garner
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Joe Ofahengaue
14. Jock Madden
15. Alex Twal
16. Kelma Tuilagi
17. Alex Seyfarth
18. Fa’amanu Brown
19. Fonua Pole
20. Jake Simpkin
21. Junior Tupou
22. Austin Dias
