The last time the Wests Tigers played the New Zealand Warriors in Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland was way back in 2011 and they snagged a narrow 26-22 victory.
This Saturday the Tigers will return to Mt Smart Stadium, pictured, for round six of the NRL and will be hoping to repeat their performance of four years ago.
Confidence won’t be a problem after their gutsy but important 22-6 win over the Parramatta Eels yesterday afternoon at ANZ Stadium.
Coach Jason Taylor has this evening named an 18-man squad for Saturday’s trip across the ditch.
The only change to the team that was named last week comes on the extended interchange bench with Asipeli Fine replacing Brenden Santi.
It confirms the assertion in the South West Voice last week that Taylor has settled on his top 20 first grade players and is aiming for consistency in selections from week to week.
So far this policy is paying dividends, with the team in the top eight, having lost two of its first five matches, both close affairs to last year’s grand finalists, South Sydney and the Bulldogs.
The team named for this Saturday will depart for Auckland on Friday.
♦ Wests Tigers team is:
1. James Tedesco
2. Kevin Naiqama
3. Tim Simona
4. Chris Lawrence
5. Pat Richards
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods
9. Robbie Farah (C)
10. Keith Galloway
11. Curtis Sironen
12. Kyle Lovett
13. Martin Taupau
Interchange:
14. Dene Halatau
15. Ava Seumanufagai
16. Jack Buchanan
17. Sauaso Sue
18. Asipeli Fine
