Wests Tigers Head Coach Ivan Cleary has made several changes to his team this week as they look to extend their strong start to the year against the Sea Eagles.
After a thrilling last start win over the Melbourne Storm for the second time this season, Cleary has made a number of changes to this week's team — headlined by the inclusion of five-eighth Josh Reynolds.
Having not played at all this season following a hamstring injury sustained on the eve of Round 1, Reynolds has been named on the bench for his club debut, with Benji Marshall retained in the halves.
Corey Thompson will also take over at fullback in place of Tuimoala Lolohea, who has been named amongst the reserves in jersey 21, with David Nofoaluma to return to the wing in place of Thompson.
With Russell Packer (knee) unavailable, promising Junior Kangaroos forward Alex Twal starts alongside Ben Matulino, with young gun Jacob Liddle also moving in to the run-on side at hooker. Pita Godinet drops out of the side all together, with Sauaso Sue joining the interchange bench instead.
New recruit Chris McQueen has also been named amongst the reserves for the first time this season — joining prop forward Tim Grant, five-eighth Tyson Gamble and Lolohea as cover in the 21-man squad.
After his match-winning field goal, Benji Marshall has formally been named as captain this week.
For Manly-Warringah, Coach Trent Barrett will welcome back a number of key players this week — the biggest of which being gun fullback Tom Trbojevic, who missed last week's loss to the Gold Coast Titans.
His inclusion is coupled with Brad Parker returning to the wing, while both Matthew and Jonathan Wright have been named in the reserves list alongside Taniela Paseka and Tofofoa Sipley.
After a promising club debut last weekend, Jack Gosiewski has earned a starting spot in the back row, with Frank Winterstein to return to the bench for Sunday's game.
WESTS TIGERS
1. Corey Thompson
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Esan Marsters
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
6. Benji Marshall (capt.)
7. Luke Brooks
8. Alex Twal
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Ben Matulino
11. Chris Lawrence
12. Robbie Rochow
13. Matt Eisenhuth
Interchange:
14. Josh Reynolds
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Michael Chee Kam
17. Sauaso Sue
Reserves:
18. Tim Grant
19. Chris McQueen
20. Tyson Gamble
21. Tuimoala Lolohea
Coach: Ivan Cleary
MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Brad Parker
3. Dylan Walker
4. Brian Kelly
5. Akuila Uate
6. Lachlan Croker
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (capt.)
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Martin Taupau
11. Joel Thompson
12. Jack Gosiewski
13. Jake Trbeojevic
Interchange:
14. Jackson Hastings
15. Shaun Lane
16. Lloyd Perrett
17. Frank Winterstein
Reserves:
18. Matthew Wright
19. Jonathan Wright
21. Taniela Paseka
22. Tofofoa Sipley
Coach: Trent Barrett
