Wests Tigers will play their first home game of the season on Saturday when they welcome Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks to Leichhardt Oval in NRL Multicultural Round.
Match: Wests Tigers v Sharks
Round 3 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
away Team
Sharks
8th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
The team is aiming to improve in a few key areas after a slow start and ill-discipline proved costly in last weekend’s 32-12 loss to the Raiders in Canberra.
The Sharks will arrive at the ‘eighth wonder’ full of confidence after winning their opening two games of the season against the Warriors and Bulldogs, conceding just three tries in those two games.
The home side will be boosted by the inclusion of powerful centre Justin Olam, who will play his first game for the club and become Wests Tigers Player #281.
Another change to the lineup sees Aidan Sezer start at halfback after coming off the bench against the Raiders. The home side is hoping Sezer’s experience will benefit rookie five-eighth Lachlan Galvin who impressed in his NRL debut last weekend.
The other change to the side which was slow out of the gates in Canberra brings middle forward Fonua Pole into the run-on side, with Alex Seyfarth shifting to the bench.
For the Sharks Jack Williams comes into the second row replacing suspended forward Brit Nikora, while prop Royce Hunt has been added to the bench.
The Sharks are aiming to start a season 3-0 for the first time since 2002.
On paper, the numbers don’t make great reading for Wests Tigers fans, with their team winning just once in the past 11 meetings against the Sharks.
Good thing games aren’t won on paper.
Let’s Go! Show Your Stripes.
Match: Wests Tigers v Sharks
Round 3 -
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 Charlie StainesWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona FaataapeCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin OlamCentre 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 6 Lachlan GalvinFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan SezerHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David KlemmerProp for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Jack Williams
-
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 Jayden SullivanInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Dale Finucane
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Royce Hunt
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex TwalInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Billy Burns
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Samuela FainuInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Asu KepaoaReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Kayal Iro
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Fast Facts:
- The Sharks have not been beaten at Leichhardt Oval since 2014.
- The Wests Tigers play their first game at Leichhardt since their 66-18 defeat of the Cowboys in 2023.
- Sharks winger Sione Katoa has scored five tries in two games against the Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers winger Charlie Staines has scored seven tries in three games against the Sharks.
Stats supplied by David Middleton