Wests Tigers v Broncos: Luai back on deck; Reynolds on track
The Wests Tigers are out to cement their place near the top of the ladder when they host Brisbane in a Saturday-night showdown in Campbelltown.
Benji Marshall's men are riding high after winning three on the trot, including a dominant victory over the Knights at the same venue last Sunday.
They currently sit second on the ladder, equal on points with the first-placed Panthers.
A clash with the defending premiers marks a new challenge, however, and this week's match is an early test of the Tigers' title credentials.
Adam Doueihi has starred since stepping into the No.7 jersey at the start of the season, while fullback Jahream Bula continues to develop as a lethal attacking weapon.
Brisbane are undermanned as a string of high-profile players battle injuries but showed they will not go down without a fight in a tight loss to North Queensland last week.
While Reece Walsh and Ben Hunt are out, the premiers still boast an exciting backline featuring Ezra Mam, Kotoni Staggs and Jesse Arthars.
Lock Pat Carrigan will also miss the match due to suspension, with Payne Haas set to take on even greater responsibility up front.
Match: Wests Tigers v Broncos
Round 7 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
2nd Position
away Team
Broncos
11th Position
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Wests Tigers: A huge in for the high-flying Tigers with skipper Jarome Luai named to return from the knee injury that has sidelined him since Round 3. Jock Madden slides to No.14. Taylan May is back from a shoulder injury and slots it centre with Sunia Turuva returning to the wing and Jeral Skelton making way. Winger Luke Laulilii is part of the six-man bench having served his suspension.
Broncos: Skipper Adam Reynolds has been named to return from an adductor injury so Thomas Duffy slides to the interchange. The loss of Pat Carrigan to suspension brings Xavier Willison into the starting side at lock while Cory Paix has been named in the extended squad and his availability will be subject to further medical assessment from an independent specialist. Josh Rogers has been named at hooker in the interim. The new faces on the six-man bench are Jack Gosiewski and Jaiyden Hunt
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Broncos is number 1 Jesse Arthars
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah Karapani
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Taylan MayCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Patrick HerbertCentre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Heamasi MakasiniWinger for Broncos is number 5 Deine Mariner
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam DoueihiHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell MayProp for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Broncos is number 9 Josh Rogers
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua PoleProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Broncos is number 13 Xavier Willison
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jock MaddenInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Thomas Duffy
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione FainuInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Ben Talty
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Royce HuntInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Jaiyden Hunt
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Jack Gosiewski
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Latu FainuInterchange for Broncos is number 18 Va'a Semu
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Luke LauliliiInterchange for Broncos is number 19 Hayze Perham
Reserves
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Bunty AfoaReserve for Broncos is number 20 Cameron Bukowski
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Tony SukkarReserve for Broncos is number 21 Cory Paix
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Tristan HopeReserve for Broncos is number 22 Antonio Verhoeven
Wests Tigers Ins
- Bunty Afoa
- Jarome Luai
- Luke Laulilii
- Taylan May
Broncos Ins
- Adam Reynolds
- Antonio Verhoeven
- Cameron Bukowski
- Jack Gosiewski
- Jaiyden Hunt
- Va'a Semu
Wests Tigers Outs
- Jeral Skelton
Broncos Ins
- Aublix Tawha
- Blake Mozer
- Patrick Carrigan
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers are chasing a 5-1 start for the first time since 2018.
- The Broncos have won their last eight games against the Tigers at Campbelltown.
- The Tigers are aiming for a fourth straight win for the first time in 14 years.
- Broncos second-rower Jordan Riki has scored four tries in four games against the Tigers.
- Wests Tigers’ English forward Kai Pearce-Paul will play his 50th NRL game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
