Dene Halatau will replace Robbie Farah in more ways than one in Saturday’s clash with the North Queensland Cowboys.
With Farah, along with Aaron Woods, selected in the NSW State of Origin team, coach Jason Taylor has named the ever reliable Halatau in the vacant hooking role.
But as Farah is also his captain, Taylor has added that role to Halatau’s duties at Campbelltown Sports Ground.
It will be the first time Halatau has captained the Tigers, and what a special occasion to do it in.
Farah, Halatau and Pat Richards are the only survivors from that famous grand final triumph of ’05.
The round 11 match may be the 10th anniversary of the 2005 grand final between the two clubs, but coach Taylor will want just one thing: the two premiership points.
Missing his two Origin stars makes it even harder, but on the flip side the Cowboys will also be without three of their stars – Thurston, Scott and Tamou.
Origin time really tests how much depth there is in a club’s squad, and in this case it may be the key to the result.
Wests will have home ground advantage, but even that will depend on the size of the crowd.
If the weather is awful some of those Wests Tigers’ fickle Campbelltown fans may stay away, which would suit the visitors.
Time will tell, and hopefully a decent crowd turns up to celebrate that magnificent day in 2005 when the whole town was partying for a week.
Match kick off is 7.30pm and of course it will be shown live on Fox Sports.
In other selection changes for the Tigers, Taylor has named Matthew Lodge as Aaron Woods’ replacement in the front row, with Jack Buchanan, Delouise Hoeter, Brenden Santi and Joel Luani all added to an extended bench.
Wests Tigers NRL – Round 11 v Cowboys:
1. James Tedesco
2. Kevin Naiqama
3. David Nofoaluma
4. Chris Lawrence
5. Pat Richards
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Matthew Lodge
9. Dene Halatau (C)
10. Keith Galloway
11. Curtis Sironen
12. Kyle Lovett
13. Martin Taupau
Interchange:
14. Ava Seumanufagai
15. Jack Buchanan
16. Sauaso Sue
17. Delouise Hoeter
18. Brenden Santi
20. Joel Luani
