Time will tell if Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has pulled a rabbit out of the hat by giving the five-eighth spot to Daine Laurie in the round 18 clash against old foes North Queensland Cowboys.
Remember Daine Laurie? Yes, that Daine Laurie, the forgotten man in the squad, but who was seen as the long term fullback for Wests Tigers not that long ago.
Injury and loss of form resulted in a long stint away from NRL for Laurie.
Now it seems that Sheens, who is trying to fill the hole left by the injury to Luke Brooks, has thrown a lifeline to Daine Laurie.
Laurie is set to play his first NRL game since Round 4 and will partner Brandon Wakeham in a new-look halves pairing.
Talk in league circles suggested Laurie would be headed for the exit once his contract expires.
Time will tell, especially now Luke Brooks is leaving to play for Manly, alongside current teammate Tommy Talau, who is also headed to the Northern Beaches in 2024.
The Daine Laurie addition was the major change when Sheens named his squad for Saturday’s clash against the Cowboys.
Stefano Utoikamanu also returns to the team from NSW Origin duty after missing the Melbourne game at Campbelltown.
Utoikamanu’s return has pushed fellow middle forward Fonua Pole to the bench.
Meanwhile Campbelltown’s own local hero David Nofoaluma (99 tries for Wests Tigers) gets another crack at becoming the first player to score 100 tries for the club.
TEAM LIST:
1. Jahream Bula
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Brent Naden
4. Starford To’a
5. Junior Tupou
6. Daine Laurie
7. Brandon Wakeham
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Jake Simpkin
10. David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. Shawn Blore
13. John Bateman (c)
INTERCHANGE:
14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. Fonua Pole
16. Alex Twal
17. Asu Kepaoa
18. Alex Seyfarth
