Wests Tigers v Warriors: Luai returns: Fisher-Harris back on deck
The Wests Tigers are determined to get their finals quest back on track when they host the Warriors on Friday night.
Benji Marshall's men have struggled over the past couple of months and suffered a shock defeat to the Dragons last weekend. They were dealt a blow in the loss when skipper Api Koroisau injured his pectoral, with the hooker facing a month on the sidelines.
Confidence remains high, however, that the Tigers can snap a 15-year finals drought and they remain just four points outside the eight with nine games to play.
Friday's clash with the Warriors provides another chance to close the gap with a side sitting higher on the ladder and halfback Adam Doueihi will need to be at his best to lead his side to victory.
The Warriors suffered a last-start defeat to the Dolphins a fortnight ago before last week's bye and are eager to get back into winning form.
Halves Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita have developed an exciting combination since Tanah Boyd suffered a season-ending injury, while their success this season has been built on the back of a dominant pack.
Match: Wests Tigers v Warriors
Round 19 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
12th Position
away Team
Warriors
2nd Position
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Wests Tigers: Skipper Jarome Luai is back on deck after missing the loss to the Dragons due to concussion symptoms so Jock Madden drops to the reserves. The loss of co-captain Api Koroisau (pectoral) sees Josese Lanyon start the game at hooker. Samuela Fainu returns from a foot injury in the back row so Tony Sukkar slides to the bench.
Warriors: A big in for the Wahs with skipper James Fisher-Harris returning after three games out with a calf injury while back-rower Leka Halasima (hamstring) is also good to go. Winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira returns from a thigh injury but veteran flyer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will miss the game with a hamstring injury. Origin reps Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell are part of the extended bench and will be monitored after Wednesday's decider.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Warriors is number 2 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Heamasi MakasiniCentre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'aCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral SkeltonWinger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam DoueihiHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell MayProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Josese LanyonHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Bunty AfoaProp for Warriors is number 10 Tanner Stowers-Smith
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Sione Fainu2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu FainuInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Fonua PoleInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Tony SukkarInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Marata Niukore
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Faaletino TavanaInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Luke Metcalf
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Charlie MurrayInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Makaia Tafua
Reserves
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Heath MasonReserve for Warriors is number 21 Luke Laulilii
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Jock MaddenReserve for Warriors is number 22 Mitchell Barnett
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Jared HaywoodReserve for Warriors is number 23 Kurt Capewell
Wests Tigers Ins
- Heath Mason
- Jared Haywood
- Jarome Luai
- Samuela Fainu
Warriors Ins
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira
- James Fisher-Harris
- Leka Halasima
- Luke Laulilii
- Makaia Tafua
Wests Tigers Outs
- Apisai Koroisau
Warriors Ins
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Kayliss Fatialofa
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers have won only one of their past eight games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
- The Warriors have won nine of their last 10 games against the Tigers.
- Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored three tries in his last three games at Campbelltown.
- Warriors winger Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has scored seven tries in his last six games.
- Tigers halfback Adam Doueihi has scored five tries in his last four games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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