After their narrow 18-16 loss to the depleted Penrith Panthers on Sunday, the Wests Tigers are jetting off to Townsville as they desperately seek the win or two they need to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
Looking at their draw there are no easy games in the last seven rounds.
After the Cowboys they go to Brisbane to face the high flying Broncos on Saturday.
Then they are at home to the Newcastle Knights on August 7, realistically their best chance to win a game in the final rounds left.
They host the Sharks the following round, are away to the Roosters, then return home to host the Dragons and the Canberra Raiders in the last two rounds of the 2022 NRL premiership.
In the meantime interim coach Brett Kimmorley has named a 22-man squad for Sunday’s Round 19 match against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.
The big storyline around the game is forward James Tamou making his 300th NRL appearance.
The 33-year-old prop, who has played his best footy for the club this season, will chalk up the career milestone against the same club that handed him his NRL debut 13 years ago.
Tamou returned from a two-week injury spell (calf) to play his other former club, the Panthers, last weekend and comes straight into the starting side, pushing Zane Musgrove to the bench.
Brent Naden returns after serving a four-game suspension and has been named on the wing, replacing Junior Tupou.
Alex Seyfarth and Tyrone Peachey both return to the side and have been named on the bench.
WESTS TIGERS ROUND 19 TEAM:
1. Daine Laurie
2. Brent Naden
3. Starford To’a
4. Asu Kepaoa
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Adam Doueihi
7. Luke Brooks
8. James Tamou (c)
9. Fa’amanu Brown
10. Joe Ofahengaue
11. Luke Garner
12. Kelma Tuilagi
13. Jackson Hastings
INTERCHANGE/EXTENDED BENCH
14. Fonua Pole
15. Zane Musgrove
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Tyrone Peachey
18. Austin Dias
19. Jock Madden
20. Justin Matamua
21. James Roberts
22. David Nofoaluma
