Everyone’s talking about Luke Brooks and Jackson Hastings as the architects of the revival of the Wests Tigers prospects in 2022.
And while that’s fair enough because both halves have been great in the past two matches, it’s the forwards who have made all the difference.
Especially James Tamou, who’s talked big since arriving at the club prior to the 2021 season but rarely delivered where it mattered – on the field.
We may never know what was said to change things, but starting with a superlative performance against Parramatta the week before, Tamou repeated it against Souths.
His hit-ups and tackle stats over the last two games have sky rocketed – and the halves have been the beneficiaries.
Tamou’s resurgence has seen other under performers such as Joe Ofahengaue lift their game all of a sudden.
In the past two games, as a result, the Wests Tigers pack has matched it with the opposition, giving the backs time and space to weave their magic.
Which is what Hastings, Brooks and to a lesser extent Daine Laurie have done.
Result: two inspirational wins in a row and things suddenly looking a lot more positive in the joint venture.
This round the NRL side will have to do it all again when it heads to Wollongong to take on the St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium 4pm on Sunday.
The team with the big red V recorded a noteworthy victory in their Anzac Day clash with the Roosters and will be a tough nut to crack, especially at home in front of their fans.
As for Wests Tigers, injuries have forced coach Michael Maguire to shuffle the side.
Maguire has named Starford To’a to fill in for Daine Laurie at fullback.
Laurie suffered an MCL injury during last Saturday’s 23-22 win over the Rabbitohs and will miss between four and six weeks.
English import Oliver Gildart comes into the starting side at centre after featuring off the interchange bench last weekend.
Kelma Tuilagi has recovered from a non-Covid related illness in time to take his place in the starting 13, meaning Alex Seyfarth drops back to the interchange bench.
THE FULL TEAM IS:
1. Starford To’a
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Luke Garner
4. Oliver Gildart
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Luke Brooks
7. Jackson Hastings
8. James Tamou (c)
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Zane Musgrove
11. Kelma Tuilagi
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Joe Ofahengaue
INTERCHANGE
14. Jock Madden
15. Alex Twal
16. Thomas Mikaele
17. Alex Seyfarth
