Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has named his 22-man squad for Saturday’s Round 11 match against South Sydney Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium.
There is just one change to the team which defeated St George Illawarra 18-16 on Sunday. John Bateman (hamstring) returns to the side after missing the Magic Round victory in Brisbane, pushing Asu Kepaoa back to the bench.
Bateman has yet to have a performance where he has been a major influence on the result.
He has been good in defence and in attack in patches, but there hasn’t been one massive game from him so far.
Fans will be hoping that comes this Saturday (kick off at 3pm) against the team most pundits presently see as the main premiership contenders.
Either way Wests Tigers ought not be a pushover for the Bunnies after two back to back victories.
They defeated the premiers and followed it up with another win when they faced St George Illawarra in Magic Round.
Their confidence levels will be much higher than they were three weeks ago after a very poor start to the 2023 season.
Now they are, incredibly, just three wins away from the team running third on the ladder.
A tight competition helps, but it shows that if you can string a few wins together anything is possible.
Last Sunday one of the most pleasing aspects was seeing the continued improvement in the halves combination, with both Brandon Wakeham and Luke Brooks having terrific games.
That was just the fourth game together for the pair, but the improvement is there for all to see.
But the biggest pat on the back must go to young fullback Jahream Bula, who had another blinder. He is pictured above flying high during a try celebration.
In the dying seconds of the game Bula did a reasonable impersonation of Superman in making three tackles in the same play as St George almost managed to steal the game.
Basketball’s loss is rugby league’s gain as far as this talented youngster is concerned.
TEAM LIST:
1. Jahream Bula
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Starford To’a
4. Tommy Talau
5. Junior Tupou
6. Brandon Wakeham
7. Luke Brooks
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Api Koroisau (c)
10. David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. John Bateman
13. Fonua Pole
INTERCHANGE:
14. Jake Simpkin
15. Joe Ofahengaue
16. Alex Twal
17. Asu Kepaoa
18. Alex Seyfarth
19. Justin Matamua
20. Shawn Blore
21. Daine Laurie
22. Triston Reilly
