Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has named a 26-man squad for Saturday’s NRL Pre-season Challenge against St George Illawarra Dragons in Mudgee.
It will be, to many, the likely line up for season 2024, even though a handful of players will make their first appearance for the club, including former Melbourne Storm centre Justin Olam.
Olam will start against the Dragons after being rested for last weekend’s 18-16 win against the Warriors in Christchurch (pictured above).
The PNG international will line up in the centres alongside Starford To’a, who will also play his first game of the year.
Another player making his first appearance for Wests Tigers is Solomon Alaimalo, a speedy outside back who joined the club in December having played several seasons of Super Rugby with the Waikato Chiefs.
Eighteen-year-old local junior Lachlan Galvin has recovered from a calf strain and has been named on the bench.
Alex Twal and young backrower Justin Matamua are also set to have their first hit-out after being rested last weekend.
Wests Tigers NSW Cup team, Western Suburbs Magpies, will play a trial against the Dragons as a curtain-raiser to the NRL in Mudgee. This match kicks off at 5.30pm.
Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg Cup team will also have a trial this weekend against South Sydney Rabbitohs. This match will kick off at 4pm and is one of six pathways fixtures at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.
WESTS TIGERS NRL TEAM LIST VERSUS DRAGONS:
1 Jahream Bula
2 Charlie Staines
3 Justin Olam
4 Starford To’a
5 Junior Tupou
6 Jayden Sullivan
7 Aidan Sezer
8 Stefano Utoikamanu
9 Api Koroisau
10 David Klemmer
11 Isaiah Papalii
12 Asu Kepaoa
13 Alex Seyfarth
14 Lachlan Galvin
15 Alex Twal
16 Fonua Pole
17 Samuela Fainu
18 Sione Fainu
19 Jake Simpkin
20 Heath Mason
21 Alex Lobb
22 Navren Willett
23 Sione Vaihu
24 Solomon Alaimalo
25 Tony Sukkar
26 Justin Matamua
