Wests Tigers v Cowboys: Makasini unleashed; Luke steps up
Wests Tigers are chasing a winning start to the year as they prepare to take on the North Queensland Cowboys in front of a big crowd on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Leichhardt Oval.
Confidence is high in Tiger Town after an undefeated Witzer Pre-Season Challenge but Benji Marshall's men have had to bide their time before launching their season.
A bye in Round 1 saw the Tigers sit back and watch their 16 rivals take to the field before this weekend's clash with the Cowboys.
Marshall has made plenty of changes over the summer and the early signs are promising. The new halves pairing of Adam Doueihi and Jarome Luai has sparked their attack while 18-year-old outside back Heamasi Makasini showcased why he's considered a future star in two dominant pre-season appearances.
Kai Pearce-Paul is set for his club debut after a calf complaint kept him out of the trials in another boost to the Tigers pack.
While the Tigers have been waiting patiently to play, the Cowboys have travelled to Las Vegas and back.
North Queensland returned home empty handed, having suffered a hard-fought 28-18 loss to Newcastle. The defeat came at a cost, with prop Thomas Mikaele picking up a knee injury that will sideline him for six weeks.
Heilum Luki and Tom Chester both impressed in their returns from long-term layoffs and will look to take another big step forward on Saturday afternoon.
The Cowboys stunned the Tigers at Leichhardt last season in a game that was meant to celebrate Marshall's 2005 grand final win over North Queensland. The visitors have their sights on another upset this weekend as they look to open their account for 2026.
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 2 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
9th Position
away Team
Cowboys
13th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Wests Tigers: Young gun Heamasi Makasini has been named at centre for his second NRL appearance following his outstanding Pre-Season Challenge form. Fellow teenager Luke Laulilii gets his shot on the wing in career game No.10. Englishman Kai Pearce-Paul has overcome a calf injury and will make his Tigers debut in the back row alongside Samuela Fainu. The six-man bench includes former Bronco Jock Madden, prop Royce Hunt and bullocking winger Jeral Skelton.
Cowboys: Winger Braidon Burns has been named pending an appearance at the judiciary on Tuesday night where he is seeking a downgrade on a high tackle charge. The loss of Tom Mikaele to a knee injury sees Soni Luke promoted to the bench while Liam Sutton and Ethan King are the No.18 and 19. Star fullback Scott Drinkwater was nursing rib cartilage damage in Vegas but is expected to be good to go.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Taylan MayCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Heamasi MakasiniCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Luke LauliliiWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam DoueihiHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell MayProp for Cowboys is number 8 Coen Hess
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua PoleProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Sam McIntyre
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jock MaddenInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione FainuInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Kai O'Donnell
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Royce HuntInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Matthew Lodge
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tristan HopeInterchange for Cowboys is number 18 Liam Sutton
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Jeral SkeltonInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 Ethan King
Reserves
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Mavrik GeyerReserve for Cowboys is number 20 Robert Derby
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Tony SukkarReserve for Cowboys is number 21 Harrison Edwards
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Heath MasonReserve for Cowboys is number 22 Kaiden Lahrs
Wests Tigers Ins
Cowboys Ins
- Ethan King
- Harrison Edwards
- Kaiden Lahrs
- Liam Sutton
Wests Tigers Outs
Cowboys Ins
- Thomas Mikaele
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers have won three of their last four games at Leichhardt Oval.
- The Cowboys have won their last five games against the Tigers.
- Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored seven tries in seven games at Leichhardt.
- Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored 10 tries in his last seven games against the Tigers.
- Tigers centre Starford To’a has scored six tries in his last six games against the Cowboys.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
