Fullback Jahream Bula, second rower Samuela Fainu, and middle forward Royce Hunt, all returning from injuries, have been named in the Wests Tigers side to take on the Bulldogs this Sunday.
Bula (pictured above) and Fainu go straight in the starting lineup, while Hunt has been named on the interchange bench for the round 22 clash at Parramatta.
The trio should make a big difference to the Tigers in possibly their biggest challenge this season.
Last week, Benji Marshall’s team were no match for four time premiers Penrith, going down 36-2.
The Tigers did not play that poorly, but the Panthers looked like a team on a mission: to defend their title.
Wests just could not win the territorial battle, with Penrith starting their sets from the 30m line, while Marshall’s men were forced to bring the ball out from their tryline.
It meant Luai’s bombs were completely ineffective because his teammates were unable to kick-chase and put pressure on the Penrith fullback.
Maybe the Tigers need to launch their aerial attack from the halfway mark, or even think about shifting the ball early, something that was almost totally absent from their game plan against Penrith.
In other words, just try something different.
On a different tack, the Tigers fans who make the trek to Parramatta for the game will indulge in booing of the Bulldogs halfback, and fair enough.
As for the coach, he will merely be asking for a performance that gives him, the squad, and the fans, hope for next season.
Kick off is at 2pm.
TEAM LIST: 1. Jahream Bula, 2. Sunia Turuva, 3. Taylan May, 4. Starford To’a, 5. Jeral Skelton, 6. Jarome Luai (c), 7. Latu Fainu, 8. Terrell May, 9. Api Koroisau (c), 10. Alex Twal, 11. Samuela Fainu, 12. Alex Seyfarth, 13. Adam Doueihi. INTERCHANGE: 14. Sione Fainu, 15. Royce Hunt, 16. Fonua Pole, 17. Tony Sukkar, 18. Tristan Hope.
Go Tigers
Go hard Tigers!