Wests Tigers Head Coach Ivan Cleary has named a strong 21-man squad to take on the Melbourne Storm this Saturday, March 17 at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Kickoff for the match is at 7:30pm AEDT as Wests Tigers look to secure back-to-back wins to start 2018 following a thrilling come-from-behind win over the Sydney Roosters last weekend.
With Josh Reynolds sidelined with a hamstring injury suffered in the lead-up to last week's game, Cleary has named Benji Marshall and Luke Brooks in the halves — as they were in Round 1.
Tuimoala Lolohea is at fullback once more, while Corey Thompson and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak feature on the wings as Wests Tigers look set to field the same 17 that defeated the Roosters.
In the reserves, there's good news with the return of Josh Aloiai from a knee injury that kept him out of Round 1, and the former Wests Tigers Rookie of the Year could come in to calculations later in the week.
He is joined by Tim Grant, David Nofoaluma and young playmaker Tyson Gamble, who joins the squad as cover in the halves following an impressive first-up performance in the Intrust Super Premiership side.
Russell Packer will captain the side in this week after Chris Lawrence took charge in Round 1.
For the Storm, champion fullback Billy Slater will make his return and his 300th NRL appearance on Saturday night after sitting out the season opener in Perth last weekend with a foot injury.
He takes his place at the back as per usual, pushing Cameron Munster back into the halves, with young gun Ryley Jacks not included in the 21-man squad at all after starting last week's game.
WESTS TIGERS
1. Tuimoala Lolohea
2. Corey Thompson
3. Esan Marsters
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
6. Benji Marshall
7. Luke Brooks
8. Russell Packer (capt.)
9. Pita Godinet
10. Ben Matulino
11. Chris Lawrence
12. Robbie Rochow
13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange:
14. Matt McIlwrick
15. Alex Twal
16. Michael Chee Kam
17. Matt Eisenhuth
Reserves:
18. Josh Aloiai
19. David Nofoaluma
20. Tim Grant
21. Tyson Gamble
Coach: Ivan Cleary
MELBOURNE STORM
1. Billy Slater
2. Suliasi Vunivalu
3. Will Chambers
4. Curtis Scott
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Cameron Munster
7. Brodie Croft
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Cameron Smith (capt.)
10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Dale Finucane
Interchange:
14. Tim Glasby
15. Kenny Bromwich
16. Christian Welch
17. Sam Kasiano
Reserves:
18. Young Tonumaipea
19. Joe Stimson
20. Billy Walters
21. Brandon Smith
Coach: Craig Bellamy
