Wests Tigers v Sharks: Garner named in back row; Talakai ruled out
With four rounds to play in the 2022 season the Sharks must keep on winning to secure a top-four spot while Wests Tigers need victories to stave off the unwanted wooden spoon.
Through the dramas of the past decade Wests Tigers have never finished last in their 22 seasons as a joint venture but Sunday's loss to the Knights leaves them precariously placed in 15th, just one win ahead of the Titans.
The Sharks, meanwhile, are sitting pretty in third spot and face teams well below them on the ladder in their final four games but coach Craig Fitzgibbon will be taking nothing for granted in the run home.
Fitzgibbon has done a remarkable job in his first year as a senior coach to return the Sharks to the top eight after a disappointing 2021 season, and he'll be ramming home the importance of a strong final month to build momentum for a shot at the club's second premiership.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Wests Tigers v Sharks
The Rundown
Team news
Wests Tigers: No further changes on game day after Luke Garner was added to the squad on Friday after a two-week neck injury, replacing Alex Seyfarth in the back row. Joe Ofahengaue shifts from prop to lock and impressive rookie Fonua Pole reverts to the interchange. With Ken Maumalo sidelined by a suspected PCL injury Starford To’a shifts to the wing and James Roberts comes in at centre for his sixth appearance of the year.
Sharks: Changes on game day with Royce Hunt promoted to the starting side in his return from a shoulder injury and Braden Hamlin-Uele going to the bench. Aiden Tolman has dropped out and his place on the interchange is taken by Jesse Colquhoun.
Centre Siosifa Talakai (shoulder) was ruled out on Friday, replaced by Matt Ikuvalu. Playmaker Matt Moylan remains sidelined with a quad injury so Braydon Trindall again fills the five-eighth role. Dale Finucane is back from suspension so Cameron McInnes reverts to the bench.
Match: Wests Tigers v Sharks
Round 22 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Sharks is number 1 Kade Dykes
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Brent NadenWinger for Sharks is number 2 Lachlan Miller
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 James RobertsCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu KepaoaCentre for Sharks is number 22 Matt Ikuvalu
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Starford To'aWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam DoueihiFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jock MaddenHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 James TamouProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Fa'amanu BrownHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Zane MusgroveProp for Sharks is number 19 Royce Hunt
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 18 Luke Garner2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe OfahengaueLock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Fonua PoleInterchange for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Austin DiasInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Teig Wilton
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Tom FreebairnInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Cameron McInnes
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Tyrone PeacheyInterchange for Sharks is number 21 Jesse Colquhoun
Reserves
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Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Jake SimpkinReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Kayal Iro
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jock Madden v Nicho Hynes: Stepping in for Luke Brooks in the No.7 for the past two games Madden has done a more than handy job, running for 192 metres and looking lively in attack, particularly in the upset win over Brisbane. The 22-year-old will look to continue his development alongside in-form five-eighth Adam Doueihi and steer the Tigers away from the dreaded spoon. Hynes goes from strength to strength for the Sharks, backing up his golden point heroics against the Bunnies with a try, four goals, five tackle breaks, 146 run metres and 300 kick metres in a tense local derby against the Dragons. His composure and class can carry the Sharks deep into the finals.
Stat Attack
Barnstorming Sharks centre Siosifa Talakai sits second in the NRL for post-contact metres with 1263 metres in 18 games, so his omission could be a tough one to overcome for the visitors. The only man with more is Canberra's Joseph Tapine (1369). Against the Dragons last week, Talakai made 181 metres for the match, 96 of which were post-contact. Wests Tigers' leader in post-contact metres is forward Joe Ofahengaue (994 in 20 games), who moves back to lock this weekend.
Match: Wests Tigers v Sharks
Round 22 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
16th Position
away Team
Sharks
3rd Position
Venue: Scully Park, Tamworth
