Paul Momirovski in for Mahe Fonua as Wests Tigers set to roar against Souths

After a heartbreaking 24-22 loss to Melbourne Storm last Thursday, Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has made just one change to the team that will take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs this Saturday at ANZ Stadium.
 
Maguire has opted for a change in his backs for the first time since round one with Paul Momirovski starting in the centres in place of Mahe Fonua.

Momirovski made his club debut in Wests Tigers win over the Sea Eagles to start the year but has primarily featured for the club’s Canterbury Cup side, Western Suburbs Magpies, since that game.

Fonua drops out completely and has not even been named on the reserves list.

The Wests Tigers are otherwise unchanged following their good performance against the Storm when they had the game won until the 77^th minute.

A couple of defensive lapses allowed the Storm to score the winning try, but it was literally a matter of centimetres over the try line.

But the caravan moves on and the joint venture are looking to continue their good recent form against the Rabbitohs, having won five of the last seven matchups between the two.

Right now, though, South Sydney sit on top of the NRL ladder, having won nine of their first 10 games, so it will be another mighty challenge for Wests Tigers to get the two points and stay in touch with the top eight.

It’s worth noting that with his 228th appearance for Wests Tigers this week, Benji Marshall will pass Chris Lawrence (currently 227 games) to move to second all-time in matches played for the club.

Marshall will be second to another prodigal son who left and has since come back, Robbie Farah, currently on 266 games played in the joint venture colours.

Both are fast approaching the 300 games milestone; Marshall has played 294 career matches (Wests, dragons, Broncos), while Farah has played a total of 292 career games (Wests, Souths).

Wests Tigers v South Sydney Rabbitohs (7.35pm kickoff):

  1. Moses Mbye (captain)
2. Robert Jennings
3. Paul Momirovski
4. Esan Marsters
5. Corey Thompson
6. Benji Marshall
7. Luke Brooks
8. Ben Matulino
9. Robbie Farah
10. Alex Twal
11. Ryan Matterson
12. Chris McQueen
13. Matt Eisenhuth
 
Interchange:
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Thomas Mikaele
16. Josh Aloiai
17. Michael Chee Kam
 
Reserves:
18. David Nofoaluma
19. Elijah Taylor
20. Oliver Clark
21. Luke Garner