Changes to forward pack as Wests Tigers seek crucial win

Author: Dan Talintyre
Timestamp: Tue 21 Aug 2018, 03:59 PM

Wests Tigers Coach Ivan Cleary has made a change to his side's forward pack as they seek a crucial victory this Thursday against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

Kickoff for the match is at 7:50pm AEST from Campbelltown Sports Stadium, with Wests Tigers needing to secure a victory to close the gap to the Brisbane Broncos and New Zealand Warriors in the top eight.

After a disappointing last start defeat to the St. George-Illawarra Dragons, Cleary has made one key change to his side with co-captain Elijah Taylor ruled out with a corked thigh picked up last weekend.

His omission sees Matt Eisenhuth move to the run-on side at lock with Chris Lawrence and Michael Chee Kam featuring on the edges, while Josh Aloiai returns to the side for the first time since Round 19.

The talented young forward made a successful return from a broken hand in the club's Intrust Super Premiership side over the weekend, and his inclusion is certainly a boost for the home side as they look to stay in touch with the top eight and secure their first victory at Campbelltown Sports Stadium this year.

Jacob Liddle, Robbie Rochow, Tyson Gamble and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak have been named as reserves, while Chris Lawrence will formally co-captain the team on Thursday night.

For the Sea Eagles, Coach Trent Barrett has named a relatively unchanged side from the one that went down at home to the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night with Jack Gosiewski replacing Frank Winterstein on the bench in the only change, with Winterstein dropping back to the reserves list.

WESTS TIGERS

1. Moses Mbye
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Esan Marsters
4. Mahe Fonua
5. Kevin Naiqama
6. Benji Marshall
7. Luke Brooks
8. Russell Packer
9. Robbie Farah
10. Ben Matulino
11. Chris Lawrence (capt.)
12. Michael Chee Kam
13. Matt Eisenhuth

Interchange:
14. Alex Twal
15. Sauaso Sue
16. Luke Garner
17. Josh Aloiai

Reserves:
18. Jacob Liddle
19. Robbie Rochow
20. Tyson Gamble
21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

Coach: Ivan Cleary

Round 24 - Round 24 - Thursday 23 Aug

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jorge Taufua
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Esan Marsters

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Mosese Suli
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Mahe Fonua

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Brian Kelly
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Kevin Naiqama

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Brad Parker
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji Marshall

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Dylan Walker
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Russell Packer

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie Farah

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Manase Fainu
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Ben Matulino

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 12 Shaun Lane
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Chris Lawrence

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Joel Thompson
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Michael Chee Kam

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 16 Jack Gosiewski
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Matthew Eisenhuth

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Alex Twal

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin Taupau
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sauaso Sue

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Trent Hodkinson
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Josh Aloiai

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Kelepi Tanginoa
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Jacob Liddle

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 19 Matthew Wright