Wests Tigers vice captain Chris Lawrence returns from suspension to add starch to the Wests Tigers defence when they host Cronulla Sharks at Campbelltown Sports Stadium this Saturday.
Lawrence, the centre turned second rower, replaces Josh Aloiai, who moves to the interchange bench.
The return of Lawrence is timely and will add a lot of starch to the Tigers defence against one of the toughest teams going around the NRL.
Lawrence’s inclusion was the only change to the team that lost 8-0 to the Eels when Wests Tigers head coach Jason Taylor named his round 5 selections a little earlier.
Robbie Farah has again been named to start at hooker, with Dene Halatau selected in the second row alongside Lawrence.
Against Parramatta Halatau started in the hooking position, with Farah coming off the bench.
Boom backrower Curtis Sironen is still out injured and the club says he will be unavailable for at least one more week.
Prop forward Jack Buchanan will be 18th man for the Sharks clash, now looming as a must win one for the Tigers after two losses on the trot.
In other team news, Wests Tigers’ Intrust Super Premiership side will look to make it three straight wins as they take on Newtown this Saturday and have one change with new recruit Joel Edwards to start at prop.
Campbelltown Sports Stadium will host a range of activities for fans this weekend as part of a circus theme – with a face painter, balloon bender, stilt walkers, jugglers and hoops performer on show in the forecourt.
Family tickets are available for $50 (pre-purchase only) from ticketek.
NRL kick off is 5.30 pm.
Wests Tigers NRL – Round 5 v Sharks:
1. James Tedesco
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Tim Simona
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Jordan Rankin
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods (C)
9. Robbie Farah
10. Tim Grant
11. Chris Lawrence
12. Dene Halatau
13. Sauaso Sue
Interchange:
14. Ava Seumanufagai
15. Kyle Lovett
16. Josh Aloiai
17. Manaia Cherrington
18. Jack Buchanan
UNAVAILABLE:
Matt Ballin (knee – Round 10 approx.)
Justin Hunt (back – indefinite)
Curtis Sironen (Round 6)
