After just one win from the last five games Wests Tigers head coach Ivan Cleary has rung in a stack of changes for the team to take on the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium this Sunday, May 27.
Just about all of the changes reflect an attempt to rectify the lack of potency in attack evident during the past five rounds.
It all became crystal clear when the Wests Tigers did not score a single try in their 16-2 loss to the Panthers at Penrith last Thursday.
Their defence, especially in the second half, was awesome, but you need to score points as well as stop them to win NRL matches.
One of those changes aimed at boosting the team’s attacking prowess involves five-eighth Josh Reynolds.
After missing the last five weeks with a shoulder injury, Reynolds has been named to make his return against his former club.
The 29-year-old is set to return off the interchange bench, with Benji Marshall and Luke Brooks retained in the halves.
To be fair, Marshall and Brooks have not been the problem in attack, so it’s good to see Cleary being loyal to them.
It will be interesting however to see how the coach uses Reynolds against his old club.
It would not surprise if he started the game, either at hooker or in the backrow somewhere.
Other changes see Tuimoala Lolohea and Mahe Fonua return to first grade after featuring in the club’s Intrust Super Premiership side last weekend.
Corey Thompson shifts to the wing and Michael Chee Kam to the second row to accommodate their return for the round 12 clash.
Chee Kam replaces Robbie Rochow in the forward pack, while Elijah Taylor moves to his preferred lock forward role and young gun Jacob Liddle finally gets to start a match as hooker.
That change sees Matt Eisenhuth drop back to the interchange bench, where he joins Reynolds alongside prop forwards Alex Twal and Sauaso Sue in the 17-man squad.
Josh Aloiai, Tim Grant, Chris McQueen and Kevin Naiqama have been named in the squad as reserves.
Chris Lawrence will formally captain the team against the Bulldogs.
Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg team and Intrust Super Premiership side, Western Suburbs Magpies, will both feature as part of a three-game program at Lidcombe Oval on Saturday, May 26.
WESTS TIGERS v BULLDOGS
1. Tuimoala Lolohea
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Esan Marsters
4. Mahe Fonua
5. Corey Thompson
6. Benji Marshall
7. Luke Brooks
8. Russell Packer
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Ben Matulino
11. Chris Lawrence (capt.)
12. Michael Chee Kam
13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange:
14. Alex Twal
15. Josh Reynolds
16. Matt Eisenhuth
17. Sauaso Sue
Reserves:
18. Josh Aloiai
19. Chris McQueen
20. Tim Grant
21. Kevin Naiqama
