Woods, Richards back in Wests Tigers team for Eels clash

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Consistency in selections: Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor
Consistency in selections: Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor

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

 

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