Hooker Jacob Liddle returns to the starting side for the first time in 2022 when the Wests Tigers host the New Zealand Warriors at Campbelltown Stadium.
Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has named his squad for the round three clash, which will kick off from 6pm this Friday.
James Tamou will skipper the side, but the less said about the five-man captaincy decision the better.
Jock Madden, named as 19th man, will probably be in the starting line up to replace Jackson Hastings (pictured above), who is set to be outed for two weeks over a lifting tackle in the match against Newcastle.
While Liddle’s return is good news, it is cancelled by the Hastings absence because the five-eighth was arguably the only player who stood up against the Knights in the 26-4 defeat.
Whatever happens, one thing you can bank on is Wests Tigers will be either brilliant or awful.
There is no middle, solid, doing the basics way for this team, which obviously has resulted in the inconsistency we have seen from them since Maguire arrived on the scene more than three seasons ago.
He’s obviously under the pump knowing a couple more losses and his job will be on the line.
It was very gracious of 2005 premiership coach Tim Sheens coming to his aid after the debacle at Newcastle, but it won’t count for anything if the losses continue.
The two defeats on the trot to open the season, combined with the twilight zone scheduling of the match from 6pm, will mean a crowd under 10,000 at Campbelltown Stadium this Friday night.
With a big Pacific and Kiwi presence in the local area it would not surprise if support for the Warriors outnumbers that for the “home’’ side.
And that’s all the Wests Tigers need right now.
WESTS TIGERS
1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. James Roberts
4. Oliver Gildart
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Jackson Hastings
7. Luke Brooks
8. James Tamou
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Stefano Utoikamanu
11. Luke Garner
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Joe Ofahengaue
INTERCHANGE
14. Tyrone Peachey
15. Alex Twal
16. Zane Musgrove
17. Jake Simpkin
18. Thomas Mikaele
