Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor has once again reminded everyone of his penchant for stability when naming teams in season 2015.
Earlier tonight he named his team for next Monday night’s Round 22 NRL match against the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium.
Taylor’s team is the exact same 18-man squad named the previous week for the match against the Melbourne Storm at Leichhardt Oval, won handsomely by the Wests Tigers 34-16.
The win lifted the club off the bottom of the NRL ladder, where they had been languishing for a couple of uncomfortable weeks.
Canberra is beatable but the Tigers will need to repeat their 80 minute performance of last week if they want to ensure they keep sneaking away from the dreaded wooden spoon position.
Unavailable for selection by Taylor were both Martin Taupau (suspension – Round 24 return) and Chris Lawrence (ankle injury – Round 25 approximate return).
Manaia Cherrington is listed as 18th man but a lot of Wests supporters will be hoping that he gets a run, because he has sparked the team on the few opportunities he has been given to play.
Plus the club won’t want to risk losing him to another club like several other young hookers once they realised Robbie Farah would have the job for along time.
• In other Tigers selection news, fresh from a bye the club’s NSW Cup side currently sit in 10th place and will look to make a push for the finals when they take on the Newtown Jets on Saturday morning at Leichhardt Oval.
• In Holden Cup, Wests Tigers welcome back powerful forward JJ Felise from injury for an important clash against the fifth-placed Raiders.
Wests Tigers NRL – Round 22 v Raiders:
1. James Tedesco
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Kevin Naiqama
4. Tim Simona
5. Pat Richards
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods
9. Robbie Farah (C)
10. Keith Galloway
11. Curtis Sironen
12. Dene Halatau
13. Sauaso Sue
Interchange:
14. Kyle Lovett
15. Jack Buchanan
16. Ava Seumanufagai
17. Brenden Santi
18. Manaia Cherrington