This Sunday the Wests Tigers go into the round 16 clash with Penrith Panthers at Leichhardt Oval desperately needing to win to keep their season alive.
They are currently four points away from the bottom team in that elite group of eight clubs leading the 2015 NRL competition.
The Tigers are good enough but have to be more consistent if they are to compete against the best the competition has to offer.
But time is starting to run out and this Sunday at Leichhardt Oval they must bag the two competition points if they want to stay in contention this season.
After last Friday’s disappointing 30-20 loss to Manly at Brookvale Oval, Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor will be hoping his charges return to the form they showed the previous week against South Sydney.
At least this time Taylor will finally have the services of his captain, Robbie Farah, who has been selected to play his first club game in five weeks.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]The Origin hooker has only played two matches in that period, both for NSW, so his return to the Tigers’ ranks at such a crucial period will be most welcome by both the coach and the rest of his teammates.[/social_quote]
In another boost for the Tigers, Taylor has also named forward Sauaso Sue to return from injury – but on a five man bench.
On the minus side, centre David Nofoaluma will be sidelined with a knee injury suffered in last Friday night’s loss to the Sea Eagles.
Taylor has named Delouise Hoeter to replace Nofoaluma in the centres.
Hoeter, 21, who made his NRL debut in round 4 against the Bulldogs, has played a total of five first grade games in 2015.
In NSW Cup team news, Junior Kiwis representative and Holden Cup squad member Watson Heleta is set to make his debut against North Sydney.
The team is: James Tedesco, Kevin Naiqama, Delouise Hoeter, Tim Simona, Pat Richards, Mitchell Moses, Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, Kyle Lovett, Chris Lawrence, Martin Taupau.
Interchange: Dene Halatau, Matthew Lodge, Ava Seumanufagai, Sauaso Sue, Brenden Santi.
