Wests Tigers head coach Benji Marshall has put his faith in the club’s newest recruits, naming seven of them to make their debut in round one against the Knights this Friday at Campbelltown Stadium.
The seven, let’s call them the finals cavalry, include new co-captain Jarome Luai (pictured above) and 27 year old hooker Tristan Hope, who’ll make his maiden NRL appearance from the bench.
Hope impressed in the pre-season challenge and was recently upgraded from a train-and-trial deal to a development contract.
Sunia Turuva, Jeral Skelton, Terrell May, Royce Hunt and Jack Bird are the other five recruits will also take to the field for their first official matches in Wests Tigers colours.
Marshal named a 22 man extend squad, which did not include Jahream Bula and Starford To’a, both of whom are sidelined with minor injury complaints.
The pair are due to return and be available for selection in Round 2. The club did not provide any information regarding co-captain Api Koroiseau, who is not on the team list for this game due to a calf injury.
As expected, Campbelltown superstar Lachlan Galvin will partner Luai in the halves, while Adam Doueihi will be in the centres.
The match will kick off at 6pm. A bumper crowd is expected to support the Wests Tigers, although earlier today there were still some tickets left for sale.
TEAM LIST:
1. Heath Mason – sponsored by Sensory Gardens Australia
2. Sunia Turuva – sponsored by Ellis Consolidated
3. Adam Doueihi – sponsored by Murray Kennedy Real Estate
4. Solomona Faataape – sponsored by Z Wealth Group
5. Jeral Skelton – sponsored by Exclusive Estate Agents
6. Lachlan Galvin – sponsored by Retro Air
7. Jarome Luai (c) – sponsored by APN Compounding
8. Terrell May – sponsored by Z Realty Group
9. Tallyn Da Silva – sponsored by KwikFlo
10. Fonua Pole – sponsored by Club Menangle
11. Samuela Fainu – sponsored by Mars Forklifts
12. Alex Seyfarth – sponsored by Ultra Building Works
13. Alex Twal – sponsored by Endacom
INTERCHANGE:
14. Tristan Hope – sponsored by One World Courier
15. Royce Hunt – sponsored by Shane’s Waterproofing
16. Jack Bird – sponsored by MJS Electrical Products & Supplies
17. Sione Fainu – sponsored by Workplace Law
RESERVES:
18. Latu Fainu – sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
19. Charlie Staines – sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
20. Kit Laulilii – sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
21. Tony Sukkar – sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
22. Reuben Porter – sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
