There’s plenty of talk Josh Reynolds will be playing for another club in 2020, but for now he may be just be what Wests Tigers need.
Their finals hopes are hanging by a thread after they were shut out of the game by Manly last week, going down 32-12, but they can still make it.
For that to happen, a lot of other results will have to go their way and they must win their remaining three matches, starting with the Knights this Saturday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Newcastle are in the same boat as Wests Tigers, on 20 points and almost on life support finals wise, so they will be just as desperate for the two premiership points.
Looking back we haven’t had a game that means so much here at Campbelltown for quite a while, so given good weather, which is forecast, a good crowd will be in attendance to help Wests Tigers home.
Much will depend on Reynolds, who has either been out injured or languishing in reserve grade and last played NRL in round seven.
Apparently he just could not stop smiling since finding out he was back in the top grade for round 23 following the injury to Robbie Farah and his replacement Jacob Liddle.
Seriously though his enthusiasm will be a major boost to the side, which has been trying hard but lacking the class to match it with the top teams in the NRL for the full 80 minutes.
Reynolds won’t worry too much about the fact that he will have the number nine jumper on his back because he’s the sort of player who gives his all.
There’s no doubt Newcastle would not have welcomed the news he’s playing against them.
After a strong performance for the club’s Canterbury Cup side last weekend, Robert Jennings also returns on the wing for his first NRL game since Round 17, pushing Paul Momirovski in to the centres and last week’s debutant Tommy Talau to the reserves.
Talau has been included in jersey 18 alongside Chris McQueen and Sam McIntyre in the extended 20-man squad named by coach Michael Maguire.
Following his one game suspension last week, Luke Garner has been named to return in the back row with Chris Lawrence also retaining his starting spot.
With Ryan Matterson named at lock, Michael Chee Kam shifts back to the bench.
Thomas Mikaele also returns to the run-on side after a late switch with Matt Eisenhuth last weekend, with the Goodna Eagles junior to start at prop.
Benji Marshall will captain the side once again.
The Wests Tigers have a good record over the Knights at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, who have won just twice there since 2001.
Kick-off is 5:30pm.
WESTS TIGERS v NEWCASTLE
1. Corey Thompson
2. Robert Jennings
3. Paul Momirovski
4. Esan Marsters
5. David Nofoaluma
6. Benji Marshall (capt.)
7. Luke Brooks
8. Thomas Mikaele
9. Josh Reynolds
10. Oliver Clark
11. Luke Garner
12. Chris Lawrence
13. Ryan Matterson
INTERCHANGE:
14. Matt Eisenhuth
15. Elijah Taylor
16. Alex Twal
17. Michael Chee Kam
RESERVES:
18. Tommy Talau
19. Chris McQueen
20. Sam McIntyre
