Wests Tigers will go into their clash with South Sydney this Friday night full of confidence despite their 19-12 defeat at the hands of the Panthers last weekend.
Battered and bruised after a fiery clash with Penrith, it looked like the team would lose at least three players through injury, along with the suspended Joey Leilua.
But when coach Michael Maguire named his side at 4pm, all three players in doubt, Moses Mbye, Luciano Leilua and Sam McIntyre, were named in the 17 that will take on the Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium.
Maguire was able to keep changes to a minimum as a result, with Michael Chee Kam slotting in to Leilua’s centre spot.
It has meant veteran Chris Lawrence coming on to the bench after keeping Benji Marshall company in the reserves list for a couple of weeks.
Unfortunately for Marshall, and his many fans, Maguire has decided to leave him there for the fourth game in a row.
Rookie Reece Hoffman has also been named in the reserves in place of Lawrence, as well as Billy Walters and Russell Packer.
Wests Tigers will be returning to Leichhardt Oval for the first time since mid May when they host Brisbane Broncos in round 10.
In round 12, Wests Tigers will be at Campbelltown Sports Stadium for a 6pm Friday night clash against the New Zealand Warriors – a fixture which will also form part of the NRL Indigenous Round.
Reduced stadium capacity will be in operation for both of the club’s upcoming home fixtures, with Wests Tigers to communicate details around access for its members and fans in the near future.
The club’s four remaining home games – against the Bulldogs in Round 14, the Roosters in Round 15, the Rabbitohs in Round 18 and the Eels in Round 20 – will be confirmed at a later date by the club and the NRL.
WESTS TIGERS V SOUTH SYDNEY
1. Adam Doueihi
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Michael Chee Kam
4. Moses Mbye
5. Tommy Talau
6. Josh Reynolds
7. Luke Brooks
8. Josh Aloiai
9. Harry Grant
10. Oliver Clark
11. Luke Garner
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Matt Eisenhuth
INTERCHANGE:
14. Elijah Taylor
15. Thomas Mikaele
16. Sam McIntyre
17. Chris Lawrence
RESERVES:
18. Benji Marshall
19. Reece Hoffman
20. Billy Walters
21. Russell Packer
