A full house is expected at Campbelltown Stadium for the NRL match of the round on Sunday when Wests Tigers host Newcastle Knights.
The Tigers have had a great start to the season and are in second place on the ladder after five rounds, with just the one loss to Souths a couple of weeks ago.
It’s a scenario even Nostradamus wouldn’t have been able to predict, with the Knights also on fire so far as we count down to one of the biggest clashes of the season so far.
Second placed Tigers hosting third placed Newcastle should be an entertaining game of rugby league, especially with a cool but dry conditions forecast for Sunday.
Head coach Benji Marshall has now confirmed his 22-man squad, with injured star Jarome Luai still on the sidelines.
He’s expected to return a week later.
In the meantime, and coming off the back of an Easter Monday classic when the Tigers pipped the Eels 22-20, the boys in orange, black and white will look to secure their fourth win of the season.
The lineup remains largely unchanged, with Jeral Skelton joining the starting line-up due to Luke Laulilii’s one-game suspension.
Patrick Herbert joins the six-man interchange off the back of an impressive match in the Knock-on Effect NSW Cup against the Eels.
Jock Madden and Adam Doueihi remain paired in the halves after a showstopping effort in Round 5 which saw Madden have a perfect night off the tee.
The Tigers starting forward pack remains unchanged, with Kai Pearce-Paul set to play his 50th NRL match off the back of a standout performance with two try assists and 46 tackles against the Eels.
The former Knights second rower has been a huge revelation in Tigers colours this season.
SNAPSHOT:
Wests Tigers v Newcastle Knights
Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Sunday, April 12
Kick off at 4.05pm
WESTS TIGERS LINEUP:
1.Jahream Bula
2. Faaletino Tavana
3. Sunia Turuva
4. Heamasi Makasini
5. Jeral Skelton
6. Jock Madden
7. Adam Doueihi
8. Terrell May
9. Api Koroisau (c)
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Alex Twal
INTERCHANGE:
14. Latu Fainu
15. Sione Fainu
16. Royce Hunt
17. Alex Seyfarth
18. Tristan Hope
19. Patrick Herbert