Team List: NRL Round 19 vs Sharks

There are a few changes to the side that was heavily beaten by the Cowboys last weekend with Tommy Talau and Asu Kepaoa added to the backline, replacing Brent Naden (shoulder) and David Nofoaluma (shoulder).

Alex Twal is serving a one-match suspension opening the door for Aitasi James to make his NRL debut.  

The 22-year-old prop has played 35 games for Western Suburbs Magpies since joining Wests Tigers from Parramatta in 2021, and will make his first NRL appearance from the bench on Thursday night.

Team List:

1.  Jahream Bula - sponsored by Australian Track Services 

2.  Asu Kepaoa - sponsored by Leumeah Shopping Centre 

3.  Starford To'a - sponsored by Murray Kennedy Real Estate 

4.  Tommy Talau - sponsored by APN Compounding 

5.  Junior Tupou - sponsored by The Meat Man 

6.  Daine Laurie - sponsored by Club Menangle 

7.  Brandon Wakeham - sponsored by Momenta Advisors 

8.  Stefano Utoikamanu - 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.  John Bateman (c) - sponsored by Kwikflo 

13.  Fonua Pole - sponsored by Ultra Building Works 

Interchange:

14. Tallyn Da Silva - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

15.  Shawn Blore - sponsored by Mater Dei on behalf of The Kirk Family 

16.  Alex Seyfarth - sponsored by LC Wealth 

17.  Aitasi James - sponsored by Xpertise Construction

Reserves:

18.  Justin Matamua - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

19.  Will Smith - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

20.  Triston Reilly - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

21.  Brandon Tumeth - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

22.  Josh Feledy - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

Coach: Tim Sheens - sponsored by Pepper Money