The Wests Tigers head across the ditch to New Zealand this Saturday to face the Warriors in Waikato in Round 24 of the NRL.
This is actually a home game, but the Tigers, in a generous gesture towards the Warriors and their fans for their efforts during the pandemic, have offered to take it to New Zealand.
As it turns out this will be a much more important game for the locals, who are shooting for a top four finish in 2023.
For their part, the Tigers now have one eye on 2024 by keep improving every week, something they did in spades last Sunday in Canberra.
They may have lost on the scoreboard (22-18), but even Raiders fans would have conceded the Tigers were the better team.
In fact they looked like anything but a side that is almost certain to go back to back – wooden spoons that is.
But if any team deserved it less is this Wests Tigers side.
Against Canberra they stayed in the fight for 80 minutes, matching the home side in every department, including the forwards.
There were so many outstanding performances from the Wests Tigers that it would be impossible to choose their man of the match.
Luke Brooks had a whale of a game, Daine Laurie was dangerous, the backs, led by fullback Jahream Bula, defended very well for the entire game. Our own, Campbelltown junior David Nofoaluma (pictured above) broke through to score his 100th try.
Up front David Klemmer was menacing, Alex Twal a tackling machine who had his first interchange break after more than 60 minutes of battle, while skipper Api Koroisau is contributing more every game he plays for the Wests Tigers.
Api has also taken on the kicking duties, and he’s starting to look like one of the best the club’s had for a few years.
It really was an awesome effort, and only some basic errors – such as Bula’s double movement – and one or two dubious refereeing calls, cost them the victory they so richly deserved.
Now they have to do it again for four more matches, starting with the NZ Warriors.
The Wests Tigers will finish the season by hosting the Dolphins at home in Round 25, Roosters away in round 26 and Manly, also away, in the final round of this wretched season.
In the meantime, coach Tim Sheens has named his 22-man squad for Saturday, and there are a few changes, with Stefano Utoikamanu and Shawn Blore both returning to the side.
Junior Tupou replaces Charlie Staines (hamstring) on the wing with Asu Kepaoa returning to the centres after being 18th man in Canberra.
NRL Round 24: Wests Tigers v New Zealand Warriors, Saturday, 12 August, 5:30pm AEST at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton.
TEAM LIST:
1. Jahream Bula
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Starford To’a
4. Asu Kepaoa
5. Junior Tupou
6. Daine Laurie
7. Luke Brooks
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Apisai Koroisau (c)
10. David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. John Bateman
13. Fonua Pole
INTERCHANGE:
14. Jake Simpkin
15. Alex Seyfarth
16. Alex Twal
17. Shawn Blore
