Key faces return for Wests Tigers against Dragons

Author: Dan Talintyre
Timestamp: Tue 14 Aug 2018, 03:59 PM

Wests Tigers Coach Ivan Cleary will welcome back some added firepower for his side's must-win game against the St. George-Illawarra Dragons at Leichhardt Oval.

As they look to keep their finals hopes alive following back-to-back victories, Wests Tigers have been boosted by the returns of Mahe Fonua and Chris Lawrence for Saturday's pivotal game — both players included in the run-on side as Wests Tigers look to close the gap on the eighth-placed Brisbane Broncos.

Fonua has not played since suffering a broken arm in Round 15, while Lawrence will play his first game since picking a hamstring strain and broken hand in his side's victory over the Dragons back in Round 18.

Fonua's return sees Kevin Naiqama move to the wing and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak back to the reserves, while Lawrence's inclusion on the left edge sees in-form forward Michael Chee Kam shift to the right.

Luke Garner drops back to the bench where he is joined by Alex Twal, Matt Eisenhuth and Sauaso Sue.

Young gun hooker Jacob Liddle has once again been named amongst the reserves with plenty of big selection issues for Coach Ivan Cleary given the impressive form of all four forwards named on the bench.

Liddle joins Watene-Zelezniak on the reserves list with Tyson Gamble and Robbie Rochow, who have both been named in the club's Intrust Super Premiership team to take on Wyong on Saturday afternoon.

Benji Marshall formally captains the side on Saturday as Wests Tigers look to make it three wins in a row.

For the Dragons, Coach Paul McGregor has named Kurt Mann at five-eighth in place of England international Gareth Widdop, who picked up a dislocated shoulder in last week's loss to the Eels.

He partners Ben Hunt in the halves with rookie Jordan Pereira returning to the wing.

On the bench, Jacob Host comes back in with Paul Vaughan (ankle) still unavailable, while talented younsters Zac Lomax and Jai Field join Hame Sele and Darren Nicholls amongst the reserves.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Saturday 18 Aug

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew Dufty
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Nene Macdonald
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Esan Marsters

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Euan Aitken
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Mahe Fonua

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tim Lafai
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Kevin Naiqama

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jordan Pereira
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji Marshall

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kurt Mann
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Russell Packer

Prop for Dragons is number 8 James Graham
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie Farah

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Cameron McInnes
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Ben Matulino

Prop for Dragons is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Michael Chee Kam

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 17 Matthew Eisenhuth

2nd Row for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Elijah Taylor

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 11 Chris Lawrence

Interchange for Dragons is number 10 Leeson Ah Mau
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sauaso Sue

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jeremy Latimore
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Luke Garner

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Blake Lawrie
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Jacob Liddle

Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Jai Field