NRL, ROUND 8, APRIL 23rd, 2023 WEST TIGERS v MANLY SEA EAGLES
CAMPBELLTOWN SPORTS STADIUM,SYDNEY
Wests Tigers team:
1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Daine Laurie 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Alex Twal 17. Tommy Talau 18. Alex Seyfarth 19. Shawn Blore 20. Justin Matamua 21. David Nofoaluma 22. Jake Simpkin
Major changes yet again from Tim Sheens who has named Jahream Bula at fullback to make his NRL debut.
Charlie Staines moves back to the wing and Asu Kepaoa into the centres to replace the injured Brent Naden.
Adam Doueihi is out injured for the season with Brandon Wakeham to take over at five-eighth, while Daine Laurie and Tommy Talau have been included on the bench.
Keep an eye on Junior Tupou. This kid can play and is strong by averaging 151 running metres each week, the 20-year-old has produced 21 tackle breaks and six line breaks in four appearances this season. Contracted until the next year after playing lower grades with the Raiders and Brumbies [rugby union] in Canberra he is proving to be a valuable team man for the Tigers.
The Tigers have lost their past five matches at Campbelltown in succession; the joint venture last prevailed at the venue in 2020.
Sitting at the bottom of the ladder with six losses and a bye after the opening seven rounds, the Tigers rank last in attack and 13th in defence, yet surprisingly boast the most offloads (88) of any club in the league.
Sea Eagles team:
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Samuela Fainu 15. Sean Keppie 16. Aaron Woods 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Cooper Johns 19. Kaeo Weekes 20. Ben Condon 21. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 22. Christian Tuipulotu
Josh Schuster is back after missing the past few games through injury and replaces Cooper Johns in the halves.
Raymond Vaega has been banned for a high shot during Manly’s shock win over the Storm last week with Reuben Garrick returning on the wing following a concussion.
Kelma Tuilagi has been ruled out after suffering a head knock and Ethan Bullemore takes his place in the backrow.
Sean Keppie returns to the bench alongside Samuela Fainu, who will make his NRL debut – as Kaeo Weekes drops to the reserves.
Winning their past four clashes against the Tigers, including a comprehensive victory at Campbelltown last season, the Sea Eagles have won 11 of their 14 visits to Campbelltown against all sides dating back to the days of the Magpies.
Coming into the weekend in fourth position with three wins, a bye, a draw and two losses, the Sea Eagles rank 10th in attack and seventh in defence after the first seven rounds.
Referees: Todd Smith; Sideline Officials: Jon Stone, Kasey Badger; Video Referees: Gerard Sutton;
PREDICTION.
For as hard as the Tigers are trying under difficult circumstances, the class of a side boasting the likes of Trbojevic and Cherry-Evans should keep the misery coming for the home side. I think Manly will kick on here and my bet is Manly minus 9.5 points start @ $1.78
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