Team List: Pre-season Challenge vs Dragons

A handful of players will make their first appearance for the club, including Justin Olam.

Olam will start against the Dragons after being rested for last weekend’s win against the Warriors in Christchurch. 

The PNG international will line up in the centres alongside Starford To’a, who will also play his first game of the year.

Another player making his first appearance for Wests Tigers is Solomon Alaimalo, a speedy outside back who joined the club in December having played several seasons of Super Rugby with the Waikato Chiefs.

Eighteen-year-old local junior Lachlan Galvin has recovered from a calf strain and has been named on the bench. 

Alex Twal and Justin Matamua are also set to have their first hit-out after being rested last weekend.

Team List vs Dragons:

1 Jahream Bula

2 Charlie Staines

3 Justin Olam

4 Starford To'a

5 Junior Tupou

6 Jayden Sullivan

7 Aidan Sezer

8 Stefano Utoikamanu

9 Api Koroisau

10 David Klemmer

11 Isaiah Papalii

12 Asu Kepaoa

13 Alex Seyfarth

14 Lachlan Galvin

15 Alex Twal

16 Fonua Pole

17 Samuela Fainu

18 Sione Fainu

19 Jake Simpkin

20 Heath Mason

21 Alex Lobb

22 Navren Willett

23 Sione Vaihu

24 Solomon Alaimalo

25 Tony Sukkar

26 Justin Matamua

Coach: Benji Marshall 

Wests Tigers NSW Cup team, Western Suburbs Magpies, will play a trial against St George Illawarra as a curtain-raiser to the NRL in Mudgee. This match kicks off at 5:30pm.

Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg Cup team will also have a trial this weekend, against South Sydney Rabbitohs.  This match will kick off at 4:00pm and is one of six pathways’ fixtures at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.