Neds Match Preview: Round 17
Wests Tigers will look to keep their finals hopes alive this Saturday when they take on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Lottoland.
Off the back of a disappointing defeat to the Penrith Panthers in Round 16, Wests Tigers head in to Round 17 six points outside the top eight and needing a plethora of results to fall their way if they're a chance of climbing in to finals contention.
The first result, however, is Saturday's clash against the Sea Eagles and Michael Maguire's side will be determined to ensure they bounce back from a tough night against the competition front-runners to keep their finals hopes alive.
After missing last week's game due to the birth of his son, Josh Aloiai looms as a key inclusion for the visitors. The Samoan international will return to the run-on side at prop, joining Thomas Mikaele and Alex Twal in the starting rotation.
Wests Tigers will also see an interesting positional change across the backline with co-captain Moses Mbye named at fullback for the first time this season. He starts in place of Adam Doueihi — who reverts to centre — while Asu "AJ" Kepaoa moves to the wing for the second game of his career, replacing Tommy Talau.
For the home side, there's again no Tom Trbojevic as he closes in on a return from his hamstring injury with Tevita Funa named in the number one jumper.
NRL.com preview Sea Eagles clash
Injuries to Reuben Garrick (shoulder) and Joel Thompson (ankle) sees Morgan Harper and Jack Gosiewski join the side with Corey Waddell on the bench. Exciting youngster Josh Schuster is called in to the side as a late inclusion at five-eighth, replacing Cade Cust alongside captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
Wests Tigers have won four of their last five games against the Silvertails, but have managed just one win at the former Brookvale Oval since 2003.
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Saturday, September 5, 2020
Time — 5:30pm AEST
Venue — Lottoland
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Live via FOX League (Ch.502)
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 873 2GB
Live Stream — Foxtel Go, KAYO, NRL Digital Pass and Watch NRL (int.)
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Sea Eagles — Reuben Garrick's injury sees Albert Hopoate move to the wing and Morgan Harper start in the centres while Jack Gosiewski starts for Joel Thompson. Corey Waddell joins the interchange bench, while rookie Josh Schuster comes in to the side at five-eighth in place of Cade Cust.
Wests Tigers — Asu "AJ" Kepaoa starts on the wing for Tommy Talau, while Moses Mbye and Adam Doueihi swap positions from centre and fullback. Josh Aloiai returns at prop in a boost for the side, with Matt Eisenhuth going back to the bench.
Match: Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers
Round 17 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tevita FunaFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jorge TaufuaWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad ParkerCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Joseph Leilua
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 19 Morgan HarperCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Adam Doueihi
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 4 Albert HopoateWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Asu Kepaoa
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Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 18 Josh SchusterFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji Marshall
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Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Josh Aloiai
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Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Danny LeviHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin TaupauProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Thomas Mikaele
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Jack Gosiewski2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Curtis Sironen2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
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Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
Interchange
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Lachlan CrokerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Matthew Eisenhuth
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey WaddellInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Elijah Taylor
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Sean KeppieInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jacob Liddle
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Taniela PasekaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Sam McIntyre
Match Officials
- Referee: Henry Perenara
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Gavin Badger
Last updated:
LATEST NEDS ODDS
H2H — Manly Sea Eagles ($1.55), Wests Tigers ($2.45)
Line — Manly Sea Eagles (-5.5) $2.00, Wests Tigers (+5.5) $2.00
Odds correct as of 2:30pm, August 31. 18+ only. Gamble responsibly.
HISTORY
Head-to-Head — Played 29, Manly Sea Eagles 16, Wests Tigers 13
At Lottoland — Played 11, Manly Sea Eagles 9, Wests Tigers 2
Last Time They Met — Manly Sea Eagles 32 def. Wests Tigers 12 (Rd.22, 2019)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee — Henry Perenara
Touch Judges — Jon Stone and Gavin Badger
Review Officials — Bryan Norrie and Steve Clark
