Wests Tigers will look to open season 2016 on a winning note when they take on the Vodafone Warriors on Saturday afternoon at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Having put 50 points past the Warriors in their most recent encounter in Round 25 last year, Jason Taylor’s side will head into Saturday’s encounter full of confidence, but well aware of the attacking threat that their opponents possess, with a new-look spine of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Shaun Johnson, Jeff Robson and Isaac Luke to debut together.
Tipped by many as a top-four certainty in 2016, the Warriors head into Saturday’s game on the back of a convincing loss to the St. George-Illawarra Dragons in their final trial. The men from across the Tasman have a notoriously bad record at the start of the year, so it’ll be interesting to see whether they can kick into gear straight away on Saturday.
For Wests Tigers, playing in hot conditions will no doubt suit the home side, although they will be hampered by the losses of Dene Halatau and Luke Brooks to suspension and hooker Robbie Farah to a knee injury. Young gun hooker Manaia Cherrington will make his first NRL start after an impressive debut season in 2015, while Jordan Rankin, Jack Littlejohn, Josh Aloiai and Tim Grant will all make their Club debuts this weekend.
With plenty of family-friendly activities for Multicultural Round, all three grades and glorious sunshine featuring on the day, it’s shaping as a wonderful day out to kick start season 2016 and an intriguing clash between two very contrasting opponents.
Be there for the first game of 2016 when we take on the Warriors! Get your tickets here!
Match Details
Date — Saturday, March 5, 2016
Time — 5:30pm (Gates open 1:05pm)
Venue — Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Match Officials
On-Field Referees — Ashley Klein and Chris Suttor
Touch Judges — Russell Turner and Ricky McFarlane
Review Officials — Bryan Norrie and Steve Chiddy
TV, Live Stream and Radio Information
TV — Live via Fox Sports 1 (subscription required)
Live Stream — Foxtel Go, NRL Digital Pass (subscription required)
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 873 2GB (check local guides)
Confirmed Squads
Wests Tigers |
|
New Zealand Warriors |
James Tedesco |
1 |
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck |
David Nofoaluma |
2 |
Tuimoala Lolohea |
Kevin Naiqama |
3 |
Blake Ayshford |
Tim Simona |
4 |
Solomone Kata |
Jordan Rankin |
5 |
Manu Vatuvei |
Mitchell Moses |
6 |
Shaun Johnson |
Jack Littlejohn |
7 |
Jeff Robson |
Aaron Woods (capt.) |
8 |
Jacob Lillyman |
Manaia Cherrington |
9 |
Isaac Luke |
Tim Grant |
10 |
Ben Matulino |
Curtis Sironen |
11 |
Ben Henry |
Chris Lawrence |
12 |
Ryan Hoffman (capt.) |
Sauaso Sue |
13 |
Simon Mannering |
Kyle Lovett |
14 |
Nathaniel Roache |
Josh Aloiai |
15 |
Sam Lisone |
Ava Seumanufagai |
16 |
James Gavet |
Jack Buchanan |
17 |
Bodene Thompson |
Michael Chee Kam |
18 |
Honathan Wright |
|
20 |
Albert Vete |
Jason Taylor |
Coach |
Andrew McFadden |
2016 Recent Results
Wests Tigers
TRIAL — Wests Tigers 18 def. Melbourne Storm 16
TRIAL — Wests Tigers 30 drew Cronulla Sharks 30
New Zealand Warriors
TRIAL — New Zealand Warriors 40 def. Gold Coast Titans 18
TRIAL — St. George-Illawarra Dragons 46 def. New Zealand Warriors 10
Last Time They Met — Rd.25, 2015 (Wests Tigers 50 def. Warriors 16)
With both sides out of running for the finals and ravaged by a number of injuries, Wests Tigers blew out with the Warriors with a convincing attacking performance in their final home game of the season. Robbie Farah set up three tries and scored one himself, while David Nofoaluma (2), Tim Simona, James Tedesco and Kevin Naiqama all bagged tries.
The History
· Against the Warriors — Played 25, Won 12, Lost 13
· At Campbelltown Stadium — Played 5, Won 3, Lost 2
Three Final Facts
· Wests Tigers have won their first home game of the year every year since 2007
· Wests Tigers have lost just eight of their last 23 games at Campbelltown Stadium
· This is the Warriors’ only Sydney game until Round 16 of the 2016 NRL Season
