Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs: Mbye and Leilua out; Gagai returns
After staging their version of The Great Escape at Lottoland last Saturday, the Wests Tigers face another tough test against the Rabbitohs.
Following a week of tumult, the win over Manly kept the slim finals hopes of Michael Maguire's side alive.
Anything less than three wins to end the season will end those dreams.
South Sydney, on the other hand, are now most likely playing to secure a home final in the first week of the play-offs with the top four looking a step too far in the wake of last weekend's loss to Melbourne.
Match: Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs
Round 18 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
9th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
6th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Wests Tigers: Moses Mbye (knee) and Joey Leilua (ankle) have both been ruled out of Thursday night's game with injuries. Adam Doueihi will revert back to fullback, with Tommy Talau and Chris Lawrence filling both centre positions.
Russell Packer and Josh Reynolds were the first to be left out of the squad when it was reduced from 21 to 19 by Michael Maguire on Wednesday. Wests Tigers have conceded 30 points or more in four of their past five games.
Rabbitohs: The Rabbitohs are 1-17. Dane Gagai is set to return from a hamstring strain on the wing after being named in place of Jaxson Paulo. Tevita Tatola is out with Liam Knight starting at prop and Jed Cartwright on the bench.
Back-rower Keaon Koloamatangi has been included on the bench but must pass final HIA protocols. Centre Campbell Graham has scored six tries in his past four games.
Troy Dargan and Cory Denniss were omitted from the squad 24 hours out from kick-off.
Paulo and Ky Rodwell were cut an hour before game time.
Match: Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs
Round 18 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 4 Adam DoueihiFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Corey Allan
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 18 Chris LawrenceCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Campbell Graham
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 19 Tommy TalauCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Steven Marsters
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Asu KepaoaWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Dane Gagai
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji MarshallFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke BrooksHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Josh AloiaiProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Liam Knight
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Thomas MikaeleProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'a
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Bayley Sironen
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Matthew EisenhuthInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Mark Nicholls
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Elijah TaylorInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jed Cartwright
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jacob LiddleInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Patrick Mago
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Keaon Koloamatangi
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Benji Marshall v Cody Walker. With the Wests Tigers moving on from Marshall in 2021, the future Hall of Famer needs to prove himself worthy of a contract at another club if he intends to play on. Getting the better of the talented Walker would make a strong statement.
Stat attack
Wests Tigers' win over Manly came with just 42 per cent of possession across the 80 minutes. They'll need to get better in that department to beat the Rabbitohs. Impressively, the Tigers missed just 16 tackles at Lottoland.
