A boom 20 year old Junior Kiwi second rower is among five new recruits named in an 18 man Wests Tigers squad for the NRL round one clash with the Warriors this Saturday at Campbelltown.
Coach Jason Taylor has handed the talented Josh Aloiai his first grade NRL debut, albeit from a five man bench.
With seven members of his 25 man squad unavailable either due to suspension or injury, Taylor, in his second term as head coach of the joint venture, has taken the plunge by naming Aloiai as well as Jordan Rankin on the wing, Jack Littlejohn as halfback and Tim Grant in the front row.
Another new recruit, Michael Chee Kam, was named 18th man.
Josh Aloiai is a powerful backrower who joined Wests Tigers after two impressive Holden Cup seasons with the Parramatta Eels.
The Glenora Bears (Auckland) junior represented the Junior Kiwis in 2014 alongside current Wests Tigers’ Chance Peni, Manaia Cherrington, Lamar Liolevave and Watson Heleta.
With the ability to slot in anywhere in the forward pack, Aloiai is keen to make up for an injury interrupted 2015 with the Eels.
“Debuting for Wests Tigers was my main goal this year,’’ Aloiai said on hearing of his selection by Taylor.
“It’s an answer to a lot of prayers – not just myself but my family too.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“It’s a dream come true and something that I’ll always cherish, and I just want to do myself and my teammates proud on Saturday.”[/social_quote]
Former Sea Eagle Littlejohn will partner Mitchell Moses in the halves in the absence of Luke Brooks, who along with Dene Halatau will serve a one game suspension carried over from 2015 this week.
Also unavailable for selection were NSW Origin hooker Robbie Farah (knee – Round 4-6); Matt Ballin (knee – approximately Round 10); Justin Hunt (back – indefinite); Bayley Sironen (foot – Round 2) and Joel Edwards (hamstring – Round 2).
Campbelltown Sports Stadium will host all three grades on Saturday afternoon – with Intrust Super Premiership at 1:15pm, Holden Cup at 3:15pm and NRL at 5:30pm.
♦ The team named by Taylor is:
1. James Tedesco
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Tim Simona
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Jordan Rankin
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Jack Littlejohn
8. Aaron Woods (C)
9. Manaia Cherrington
10. Tim Grant
11. Curtis Sironen
12. Chris Lawrence
13. Sauaso Sue
Interchange:
14. Kyle Lovett
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Ava Seumanufagai
17. Jack Buchanan
18. Michael Chee Kam
