Wests Tigers head coach Jason Taylor has named a strong squad to play in the club’s first trial match of the year against the Melbourne Storm this Saturday.
New recruits Jordan Rankin, Tim Grant, Josh Aloiai and Jesse Parahi are set to play their first match for Wests Tigers in the game at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Ten players from last weekend’s NRL Auckland Nines tournament will back up and play – including fellow off-season recruits Josh Addo-Carr, Michael Chee Kam, Rod Griffin and Jack Littlejohn.
Robbie Farah looks like he will be the starting hooker, with Manaia Cherrington named in the 22 man squad.
James Tedesco won’t take part but the halves, Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks, have both been named and look like they will start the match.
Taylor highlighted the importance of this weekend’s trial as preparations continue for the club’s opening NRL match against New Zealand on March 5.
“It has been a tough pre-season for the players and they have all worked really hard since we started training in November,” Taylor said.
“I know they are all really keen to get back out on the field and put in to action what we have worked on over the past few months.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing a lot of the guys play, in particular some of the new recruits who will get their first run of the year this weekend.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“We’ve done some really good work in training with plenty of opposed sessions, which aimed at putting us under the pressure of game situations, but there’s nothing like actually playing an opposition team.[/social_quote]
“Coming up against the Melbourne Storm, who are a strong side, will give us a much better feel for how things are going once we get this game under our belt.”
Wests Tigers players will depart Sydney on Friday morning, with local fans having the opportunity to meet the team at an open training session at Sunshine Coast Stadium in the afternoon.
The 22 man squad named by Taylor is: Jordan Rankin, David Nofoaluma, Nathan Milone, Michael Chee Kam, Josh Addo-Carr, Mitchell Moses, Luke Brooks, Tim Grant, Robbie Farah, Dallas Graham, Josh Aloiai, Kyle Lovett, Jesse Parahi, Justin Hunt, Jacob Liddle, Watson Heleta, Rod Griffin, Lamar Liolevave, Manaia Cherrington, Jack Littlejohn, Billy McConnachie, JJ Felise.
