The Wests Tigers team named to take on the Eels at ANZ Stadium on Easter Monday has confirmed the view that coach Jason Taylor is aiming for consistency in the 17 players who take the field every week.
Other than changes forced by injury or suspension, Taylor has now named the same team for five weeks running, which also confirms he has settled on his top 20 players.
Unless forced by loss of form, suspension or injury, it looks like Taylor will avoid the trap of naming different teams every week or changing positions on a regular basis and risking unsettling the side that runs on.
The Tigers are now two from two after four rounds, having lost the past two matches to the Bulldogs and Souths, neither of which was a dishonourable defeat.
The Tigers started the 2015 NRL season well, beating the Gold Coast Titans and the Dragons, before having to face last year’s grand finalists one after the other.
Last week against the Dogs Taylor’s charges raced off to a 24-6 lead but they were run down by the fast finishing Belmore franchise.
Now to the match against Parramatta, which is obviously a must win one for Wests, since the theory is that to do well in the NRL a team ought to win three out of its first five matches.
After serving a one-game suspension, Pat Richards is set to play his 100th NRL game against his former club and replaces Delouise Hoeter on the wing in the team named by Taylor just a few minutes ago.
In another boost for Wests Tigers, Aaron Woods has been named to make his return from a knee injury. Woods’ inclusion has resulted in a slight reshuffle of the forward pack with Kyle Lovett retaining a starting spot in the back row and Sauaso Sue moving back to the interchange bench.
Following his late withdrawal against the Bulldogs due to a quad strain, Dene Halatau has also been named on the interchange bench.
♦ This week we publish the Wests teams named in all three grades.
Wests Tigers NRL – Round 5 v Parramatta:
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. Brenden Santi
Wests Tigers NSW Cup – Round 5 v Penrith:
1. Shannon McDonnell
2. Keith Lulia
3. David Nofoaluma
4. Chance Peni
5. Delouise Hoeter
6. Tim Moltzen
7. Josh Drinkwater (C)
8. Salesi Funaki
9. Joel Luani
10. Sitaleki Akauola
11. Lamar Liolevave
12. Asipeli Fine
13. Inno Inosesio
Interchange:
14. Penani Manumalealii
15. Dwayne Lemafa
16. Wesley Lolo
17. Michael Bullock
18. Kurtis Rowe
Wests Tigers Holden Cup – Round 5 v Parramatta:
1. Sione Alofi
2. John Tohi
3. Mason Cerruto
4. Ryland Jacobs
5. Obed Karwhin
6. Te Maire Martin (C)
7. Eli Levido
8. JJ Felise
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Tiawharangi Aranui
11. Mark McCormack
12. Junior Tatola
13. Tyler Cassel
Interchange:
14. Hala Masila
15. Thomas Grealy
16. Veiru Mapesone
17. Pio Sokobalavau
18. Matthew Woods
