Coming off their hard-fought 22-16 win against the Bulldogs, the Tigers will take on Penrith Panthers this Sunday in round 14 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Penrith play a similar style of footy to the Bulldogs, so the Tigers will need to repeat their performance from last Saturday.
Which means a very high rate of completions and a good kicking game, two of the factors behind their gritty victory over Canterbury.
The Tigers controlled the contest off the boot, with Jock Madden kicking for 526 metres and Jarome Luai for 337.
They also remained disciplined with ball in hand, completing 35 of their 39 sets for an 89 percent% completion rate.
“Pleased to get the result, obviously a big game,’’ said head coach Benji Marshall afterwards.
“We’ve missed the start of a lot of games this season, and to get away to a good start was really positive for us.
“To get that result off the back of our resilience and our defence was pleasing.”
This Sunday’s clash against the competition leaders sees the Tigers return to Parramatta – their third “home ground’’.
The team Marshall has named leaves the backline unchanged from the Dogs clash, with Jahream Bula back in try-scoring form in his return from injury – having scored six tries in as many appearances.
Jeral Skelton retains his place on the wing after a strong outing against Canterbury.
HIA protocols for Sione Fainu and a knee injury to Alex Twal see a pair of changes to the forward pack, with former Panther Mavrik Geyer lining up in the second row and Charlie Murray at lock in what will be his first NRL game of the year.
Bunty Afoa and Ethan Roberts join Latu Fainu, Alex Seyfarth, Royce Hunt, and Starford To’a on the interchange bench.
The two sides will face off for the Royce Simmons Cup, with funds set to be raised for the Royce Simmons Foundation and their vital work in dementia research and care.
The match will kick off at 2pm.
WESTS TIGERS LINEUP:
1. Jahream Bula
2. Jeral Skelton
3. Sunia Turuva
4. Heamasi Makasini
5. Tino Tavana
6. Jarome Luai
7. Jock Madden
8. Terrell May
9. Api Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Mavrik Geyer
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Charlie Murray
INTERCHANGE:
14. Latu Fainu
15. Alex Seyfarth
16. Royce Hunt
17. Ethan Roberts
18. Bunty Afoa
19. Starford To’a