Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has named his 22-man squad for Saturday's Round 16 match against Melbourne Storm.
There are a few changes to the team which lost to the Gold Coast Titans last Thursday, with a Campbelltown junior in line to make his NRL debut.
Match: Wests Tigers v Storm
Round 16 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
away Team
Storm
4th Position
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Missing from the squad are Stefano Utoikamanu (NSW Origin), Api Koroisau (broken jaw) and Luke Brooks (hamstring).
Starford To’a has shifted from the centres to five-eighth and will partner Brandon Wakeham in the halves.
John Bateman has moved from the second row to lock, with Fonua Pole replacing Utoikamanu at prop. Bateman will captain the side in the absence of Koroisau.
Brent Naden makes his return to the NRL after a couple of appearances in the NSW Cup, and will partner Asu Kepaoa in the centres.
Tallyn Da Silva has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench after a rapid rise through Wests Tigers pathways teams.
The 18-year-old hooker was a member of Wests Magpies premiership-winning Harold Matthew’s Cup team last year, and has this season played in the SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup competitions.
David Nofoaluma (99 tries for Wests Tigers) could become the first player to score 100 tries for the club.
Team List:
1. Jahream Bula - sponsored by Australian Track Services
2. David Nofoaluma - sponsored by Leumeah Shopping Centre
3. Brent Naden - sponsored by Murray Kennedy Real Estate
4. Asu Kepaoa - sponsored by APN Compounding
5. Junior Tupou - sponsored by The Meat Man
6. Starford To'a - sponsored by Club Menangle
7. Brandon Wakeham - sponsored by Momenta Advisors
8. Fonua Pole - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
9. Jake Simpkin - sponsored by Exclusive Estate Agents
10. David Klemmer - sponsored by Brae Group
11. Isaiah Papali'i - sponsored by Spectrum Pools & Spas
12. Shawn Blore - sponsored by Kwikflo
13. John Bateman (c) - sponsored by Ultra Building Works
Interchange:
14. Tallyn Da Silva - sponsored by AJ Engineering Group
15. Tommy Talau - sponsored by Mater Dei on behalf of The Kirk Family
16. Alex Twal - sponsored by LC Wealth
17. Alex Seyfarth - sponsored by Xpertise Construction
Reserves:
18. Will Smith - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
19. Justin Matamua - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
20. Aitasi James - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
21. Brandon Webster-Mansfield - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
22. Triston Reilly - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation
Coach: Tim Sheens - sponsored by Pepper Money
