The Wests Tigers will take on St George-Illawarra Dragons this Sunday after a week in which they had a bye and landed a very good signing, experienced hooker Jayden Brailey on a two-year deal from 2027.
Brailey has played 170 NRL games and will provide depth to the hooker and lock positions.
A creative hooker, Brailey started his first-grade career at the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2017, going on to play 69 games before departing the club after three seasons.
He then joined the Newcastle Knights in 2020 where he became an integral part of their team with his strong running game and solid defence over six seasons in his 85 games.
Following his departure from the Knights, Brailey has spent this season at the Canberra Raiders where he has made 16 appearances.
Brailey said he was excited to be joining the Wests Tigers.
“It’s a very talented, young roster who have shown what they’re capable of. I’m really looking forward to adding my own strengths and experience to bring some success to the club,’’ Brailey said.
Head coach Benji Marshall said he would bring a level of leadership that can help impact some of the young players, particularly the hookers coming through.
“One of the things we found this year is we need to create a bit more depth,’’ Marshall said.
“Jayden gives us a ready-made first grader with experience who can play lock and hooker.”
Benji Marshall has named exciting centre Solomone Saukuru to make his NRL debut against the Dragons.
Saukuru’s selection comes after a fine season with the Western Suburbs Magpies, where he is the leading tryscorer in the NSW Cup with 20 tries.
Tony Sukkar will start in the second-row with Sione Fainu off the interchange bench.
The Tigers will be looking to end a seven-game losing streak and get revenge on the Dragons from round 18 in their final home game of the season.
Wests Tigers will wear their 2026 Indigenous jersey for this game.
WESTS TIGERS LINEUP:
1. Jahream Bula
2. Junior Tupou
3. Solomone Saukuru
4. Patrick Herbert
5. Sunia Turuva
6. Jarome Luai
7. Adam Doueihi
8. Terrell May
9. Api Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Tony Sukkar
13. Alex Twal
INTERCHANGE:
14. Heath Mason
15. Sione Fainu
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Bunty Afoa
18. Tristan Hope
19. Tino Tavana
RESERVES:
20 Ethan Roberts
21 Javon Andrews
22 Charlie Murray
