Tigers find their Teddy replacement ahead of Roosters showdown
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David Nofoaluma believes the Wests Tigers may have finally solved their fullback woes ahead of a mouth-watering match-up between Daine Laurie and James Tedesco at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday.
Tedesco will return to Sydney's south-west for the first time against the Tigers in Roosters colours after leaving the club in 2017.
Nofoaluma is one of five players left in the Wests Tigers squad who played alongside the Camden junior when he wore black, orange and white.
After three games against his former club for no tries, a four-pointer this weekend would see Tedesco complete a rare personal achievement of scoring against every club in the NRL.
"I'm very happy for Teddy, he's done well for himself and what he's achieved in the game," Nofoaluma said.
"He'll always be my mate. It's going to be nice coming up against him. There might be some push and shove for fun.
Wests Tigers v Roosters - Round 2
"The way we've got to look at it is it's nice to have two local Campbelltown juniors in the one stadium playing in the opposite sides."
After three years of searching for a suitable replacement for Tedesco in the No.1 jersey, Nofoaluma likes what he sees in the club's latest recruit Laurie.
Laurie ran for 119 metres in last week's loss to the Raiders with four tackle busts and a forced dropout.
Match: Wests Tigers v Roosters
Round 2 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
15th Position
away Team
Roosters
1st Position
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
"You've got to remember he's only young but he's taken on that role with both hands and so far he's been really good for us," Nofoaluma said.
"By him just learning and improving as a player he's only going to get better so it's exciting for the Wests Tigers to be able to see Daine be part of this club."
On a personal note, Nofoaluma isn't shying away from the fact he wants to be the NRL's top try-scorer this season with the club's all-time record also in sight for the winger.
Nofoaluma ranked third in the NRL last season for tries, his best personal effort since making his first grade debut in 2013.
The 27-year-old sits comfortably in third overall at the Wests Tigers and after getting over the line last week, is nine tries away from joining Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence on the leaderboard.
Nofoaluma has been just as consistent on home turf with 15 tries in 20 games at this weekend's venue.
"That's always nice to be recognised as one of the leading try-scorers in the NRL," he said.
"It's something I'll definitely be looking to achieve."
Roberts with an early nomination for pass of the season
The Roosters will go into the clash as heavy favourites having not lost in Campbelltown since 2003, but the Tigers will be looking to make Luke Brooks' 150th game one to remember by springing an upset.
"I hold these milestones in high regard because they're something they can look back on and appreciate about what they've achieved," coach Michael Maguire said on Saturday.
"I've been really pleased with Luke's pre-season and how he's reflected on round one - there's lots of areas he's improving on and wanting to take forward - and they're the things you want to do each week with your players.
"He's always the last one to walk off the field and works extremely hard, and I know that if he stays at it then he's going to get the desired results."
What will be the result in this Telstra Premiership clash?
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