Match Preview: Round 19 vs Sharks
Wests Tigers will be looking to respond to last week’s defeat with a much stronger performance against the Cronulla Sharks on Thursday night.
Match: Wests Tigers v Sharks
Round 19 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Head Coach Tim Sheens has shuffled his outside backs for the clash at CommBank Stadium, with Asu Kepaoa and Tommy Talau returning to the starting side in place of David Nofoaluma and Brent Naden.
Alex Twal received a one-week suspension for a hip drop tackle in Townsville, paving the way for Aitasi James to make his NRL debut off the interchange bench.
Born in New Zealand, James played his junior football in Auckland alongside Asu Kepaoa before making the move across the ditch.
He joined the Western Suburbs Magpies in 2021 and has made 35 appearances in NSW Cup before receiving the news that he will become Wests Tigers player #271 on Thursday night.
After missing out on selection for State of Origin, halfback Nicho Hynes will lead the visitors into battle.
The Sharks will be without forwards Dale Finucane and Braden Hamlin-Uele, with Toby Rudolf and Jesse Colquhoun named as their replacements.
Team Lists:
Match: Wests Tigers v Sharks
Round 19 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Asu KepaoaWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'aCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Tommy TalauCentre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior TupouWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 19 Will SmithFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Brandon WakehamHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Sharks is number 8 Oregon Kaufusi
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake SimpkinHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David KlemmerProp for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua PoleLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Jack Williams
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Shawn BloreInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Wade Graham
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Jesse Colquhoun
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Aitasi JamesInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Justin MatamuaReplacement for Sharks is number 19 Braydon Trindall
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
TV, Radio and Live Stream Information:
TV - Channel 9, FOX League
Radio - ABC Grandstand, Triple M, SEN
Live Stream - 9Now, KAYO Sports, Watch NRL (int.)
Latest PlayUp Odds:
Head-to-Head - Wests Tigers ($9.00) v Cronulla Sharks ($1.06)
Line - Wests Tigers +21.5 ($1.95) v Cronulla Sharks -21.5 ($1.85)
Odds correct as of 8:00am, Wednesday, 5th July. 18+ only. Gamble Responsibly.
History:
Head-to-Head - Played 35, Wests Tigers 18, Cronulla Sharks 16, Drawn 1
At CommBank Stadium - Played 1, Wests Tigers 1, Cronulla Sharks 0
Last time they met - Cronulla Sharks 36 def. Wests Tigers 12 (Round 22, 2022)
