Wests Tigers v Raiders: Big three return; Wighton, Whitehead rested
With a finals spot all but assured, the Green Machine will be keen to continue their miraculous late-season revival against a Wests Tigers side who are now guaranteed the wooden spoon.
Ricky Stuart's men have emerged as one of the Telstra Premiership's form teams over the past month and last week returned to the top eight for the first time since round 3.
Sunday's match will mark the first time these two clubs have faced each other since round 1 in 2021.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Wests Tigers v Raiders
The Rundown
Team news
Wests Tigers: No late changes on Sunday, with Ken Maumalo overcoming a groin injury to take his spot on the wing and Luke Garner back from a head knock in the centres. Captain James Tamou returns from a one-game suspension.
Raiders: Playmaker Jack Wighton and back-rower Elliott Whitehead have been rested by coach Ricky Stuart, with Matt Frawley coming in to start at five-eighth and Corey Harawira-Naera promoted from the bench to start in the second row. Albert Hopoate is the new face on the bench. Winger Nick Cotric returns from a groin injury on the wing.
Match: Wests Tigers v Raiders
Round 25 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Brent NadenWinger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'aCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Luke GarnerCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken MaumaloWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam DoueihiFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 20 Matt Frawley
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jock MaddenHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 James TamouProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake SimpkinHooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Joe OfahengaueProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Tom Freebairn2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fa'amanu BrownLock for Raiders is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Fonua PoleInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Zane MusgroveInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Tyrone PeacheyInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Austin DiasInterchange for Raiders is number 18 Albert Hopoate
Reserves
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Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Fetalaiga PaugaReplacement for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Daine Laurie v Xavier Savage: Two exciting players at the back of the field who have been performing well through the back end of the year. Savage ran for a team-high 226 metres last week, while Laurie has been one of the Wests Tigers' better players through a torrid stretch of late, with 20 tackle breaks in his last four games.
Stat Attack
The Wests Tigers are one of the competition's worst defensive units across 24 rounds, and sit third for the most missed tackles in the NRL, averaging 33.3 per game. That is in contrast to the Green Machine, who miss the third-fewest tackles in the competition at an average of 29 per game.
Match: Wests Tigers v Raiders
Round 25 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
16th Position
away Team
Raiders
8th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
