There are two Wests Tigers teams heading to the national capital on Sunday to take on the Canberra Raiders.
But there’s no prizes for guessing which one is more likely to return with premiership points.
Two wins from two outings so far make the Wests Tigers NRLW side the favourite in this “competition’’.
The picture above clearly shows the determination on the faces of the Wests Tigers girls in their 10-0 shut out against the Sharks last week.
Comparisons can be misleading, but the NRL men’s team of the Wests Tigers could have done with a bit of that determination in defence in their 32-18 loss to Souths last weekend.
The double header in Canberra will certainly give the boys a good opportunity to support their female counterparts, who will kick off their game at 1.50pm.
Who knows, it may even inspire them to their first win in eight matches, especially with Canberra still licking their wounds after being upset at home by the Knights last week.
NRL coach Tim Sheens has been forced into personnel changes by concussion protocols affecting two of his forwards, Stefano Utoikamanu and Shawn Blore.
Alex Twal will replace Utoikamanu at prop in an otherwise unchanged forward pack.
Daine Laurie has overcome a leg injury which forced him from the field against the Rabbitohs in Tamworth and will again partner Luke Brooks in the halves.
Jake Simpkin, Asu Kepaoa and Justin Matamua have been named on the interchange bench.
The NRL clash with the Raiders will kick off at 4.05pm.
NRL TEAM LIST:
1. Jahream Bula
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Starford To’a
4. Junior Tupou
5. Charlie Staines
6. Daine Laurie
7. Luke Brooks
8. Alex Twal
9. Apisai Koroisau (c)
10. David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. John Bateman
13. Fonue Pole
Interchange:
14. Jake Simpkin
15. Justin Matamua
16. Aitasi James
17. Asu Kepaoa
NRLW coach Brett Kimmorley has named an unchanged Wests Tigers side, and why not after such a great start to the season with impressive wins over Parramatta and the Sharks.
NRLW TEAM LIST:
1. Botille Vette-Welsh
2. Jakiya Whitfeld
3. Rikeya Horne
4. Leianne Tufuga
5. Josie Lenaz
6. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
7. Emily Curtain
8. Sarah Togatuki
9. Ebony Prior
10. Christian Pio
11. Kezie Apps
12. Eliza Siilata
13. Najvada George
INTERCHANGE:
14. Sophie Curtain
15. Losana Lutu
16. Taylor Osborne
17. Folau Vaki
