Wests Tigers hope to celebrate their 400th match with victory over the Gold Coast Titans this Saturday night, but they will have to do it without young gun Curtis Sironen.
The boom backrower has been added to the Wests Tigers unavailable list after succumbing to a hamstring strain early in the match against Manly last night at Leichhardt Oval.
The injury to Sironen, who did not take any further part in the match after going off the field, is the only sour note for the club after it made it two wins from two outings against Manly.
Sironen, who is now listed unavailable for an indefinite period, joins Robbie Farah, who is expected to resume playing in around two weeks.
Also on the injured list is the man who was supposed to take over from Farah, Manly recruit Matt Ballin (knee – Round 10 approx.) and another new recruit, Justin Hunt (back – indefinite)
However, coach Jason Taylor looks like he is sticking to the same selection policy as last season – make as few changes as possible.
He has named an 18-man squad to face the Gold Coast Titans this weekend in Round 3 of the NRL Telstra Premiership, the only change to the side that defeated Manly-Warringah forced by Sironen’s withdrawl.
Kyle Lovett moves in to the starting side, while Jack Buchanan comes on to a five-man bench that includes Michael Chee Kam as 18th man.
Wests Tigers will bring up a special club milestone this weekend, with the Round 3 encounter marking 400 NRL games since joining the competition in 2000.
Centre Kevin Naiqama will also celebrate a milestone this weekend – his 50th NRL match since making his debut for the Newcastle Knights in 2010.
A victory away from home will help the club celebrate both milestones.
♦Wests Tigers NRL – Round 3 v Titans:
1. James Tedesco
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Tim Simona
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Jordan Rankin
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods (C)
9. Dene Halatau
10. Tim Grant
11. Kyle Lovett
12. Chris Lawrence
13. Sauaso Sue
Interchange:
14. Jack Buchanan
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Ava Seumanufagai
17. Manaia Cherrington
18. Michael Chee Kam
