Bateman's back, Knights forced to call on rookies
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Major off-season recruit John Bateman is set to make his much-anticipated Wests Tigers debut in the crunch clash against the Bulldogs in Round 3.
With the club staring down the barrel of a 0-3 start to the season, Bateman has been included in coach Tim Sheens' 22-man squad for the match, having been keep out of the opening two rounds to allow him to acclimatise, after only arriving from England at the back end of February.
His likely inclusion in the gameday 17 will be part of a new-look side, which features Charlie Staines at fullback, Starford To'a in the centres, Junior Tupou on the wing and Brandon Wakeham on the bench in what will be his first game against his former club.
Usual No.1 Daine Laurie is out with a knee injury, while Tommy Talau and Jake Simpkin are missing after failing head injury assessments in last week's grim 14-12 loss to the Knights. Isaiah Papali’i is also out serving a one-game suspension.
The high attrition rate from that match has left Knights coach Adam O'Brien down on troops too, and as a result he's named Dylan Lucas and Ryan Rivett to debut off the interchange.
Head knocks for star No.6 Kalyn Ponga and experienced hooker Jayden Brailey mean Tyson Gamble starts in the halves and Phoenix Crossland will play hooker, while Jacob Saifiti will sit out the next five games through suspension after being sent off in the second half last week.
Ponga leaves the field early
Elsewhere there is still no sign of Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes for the Sharks as he continues to battle a calf injury, while a calf complaint will also keep Josh Papalii out for at least another week at the Raiders.
The Roosters are boosted by the return of Test forwards Victor Radley (head knock) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (hamstring/back) for the Friday night blockbuster against the Rabbitohs, who themselves welcome back enforcer Tevita Tatola from a head knock.
Tedesco: 'We're expecting a big game'
Both the Warriors and Cowboys will have fullbacks starting at NRL level for the first time when they meet on Saturday night, with Taine Tuaupiki to make his debut in place of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (head knock) and Tom Chester set for his second appearance, but first start, in place of the suspended Scott Drinkwater.
At the Broncos Jesse Arthars will get first crack at the left wing spot made vacant by the loss of Corey Oates, who had jaw surgery on the weekend and faces six to eight weeks out.
