After the scrappy but very important win – not least for the confidence of the team – over the Newcastle Knights – Wests Tigers head north and enemy territory this Friday.
They will take on the rampaging but somewhat Origin weakened Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
The Wests Tigers will also be minus their two Origin stars, Aaron Woods and Robbie Farah, evening the ledger somewhat.
It would have been minus three stars for the Wests Tigers if James Tedesco was not injured, so certain was the young fullback’s Origin debut this year.
But that’s how it goes in footy – you win some, you lose some.
The Broncos would be even more depleted for Friday night but some of their stars have been excluded from the banana benders’ squad over some extra curricular activities.
But they get to play for the baby-ish Broncos against a Wests Tigers team desperate to add to their four wins of the 2016 season.
The Wests Tigers of course will hope that they can overcome the Broncos and win their next two matches after that to get to the bye with a bit of a winning streak under their belt.
But their record against any Broncos teams is pretty poor, full strength or otherwise.
At least coach Jason Taylor was able to name both Kevin Naiqama and Sauaso Sue, who missed the Knights win with injuries.
Chris Lawrence and Dene Halatau will co-captain the team in the absence of Woods, with Matt Ballin and Ava Seumanufagai both named despite not finishing last week’s match against the Knights due to concussion.
Michael Chee Kam moves back to an extended bench, with Joshua Addo-Carr retaining his place in the starting line-up on the wing.
Wests Tigers will play the Broncos for the beyondblue Cup this week, a promotion that helps raise awareness for mental health and the importance of taking action.
In other grades, both Wests Tigers’ Intrust Super Premiership and Holden Cup sides are currently on lengthy winning streaks.
The Intrust Super Premiership side are searching for their fifth consecutive victory this Saturday against Mounties, while the Holden Cup team have been undefeated in their last seven games.
Wests Tigers NRL – Round 12 v Broncos:
1. Jordan Rankin
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Tim Simona
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Joshua Addo-Carr
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Tim Grant
9. Dene Halatau (C)
10. Ava Seumanufagai
11. Josh Aloiai
12. Chris Lawrence (C)
13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange:
14. Sauaso Sue
15. Matt Ballin
16. Kyle Lovett
17. JJ Felise
18. Michael Chee Kam
UNAVAILABLE:
James Tedesco (shoulder – Round 13)
Bayley Sironen (ankle – Round 13)
Nathan Milone (knee – indefinite)
Rod Griffin (knee – Round 14-16)
