Team Announcement: NRL Trial vs. Storm

[Geo]

Team Announcement: NRL Trial vs. Storm

Wests Tigers Media

Thu 11th February, 05:00PM
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Wests Tigers Head Coach Jason Taylor has today named a strong squad to play in the club’s first trial match of the year against the Melbourne Storm this Saturday.

New recruits Jordan Rankin, Tim Grant, Josh Aloiai and Jesse Parahi are set to play their first match for Wests Tigers in the game at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Ten players from last weekend’s NRL Auckland Nines tournament will back-up and play – including off-season recruits Josh Addo-Carr, Michael Chee Kam, Rod Griffin and Jack Littlejohn.

Taylor highlighted the importance of this weekend’s trial as preparations continue for the club’s opening NRL match against the New Zealand Warriors on March 5.

“It has been a tough pre-season for the players and they have all worked really hard since we started training in November,” Taylor said. “I know they are all really keen to get back out on the field and put in to action what we have worked on over the past few months.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing a lot of the guys play, in particular some of the new recruits who will get their first run of the year this weekend.

“We’ve done some really good work in training with plenty of opposed sessions, which aimed at putting us under the pressure of game situations, but there’s nothing like actually playing an opposition team. Coming up against the Melbourne Storm, who are strong side, will give us a much better feel for how things are going once we get this game under our belt."

Wests Tigers players will depart Sydney on Friday morning, local fans having the opportunity to meet the team at an open training session at Sunshine Coast Stadium in the afternoon.

Tickets are on sale for our trial match against Cronulla! Be there to see the boys in action!
1\. Jordan Rankin
2\. David Nofoaluma
3\. Nathan Milone
4\. Michael Chee Kam
5\. Josh Addo-Carr
6\. Mitchell Moses
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Tim Grant
9\. Robbie Farah
10\. Dallas Graham
11\. Josh Aloiai
12\. Kyle Lovett
13\. Jesse Parahi
14\. Justin Hunt
15\. Jacob Liddle
16\. Watson Heleta
17\. Rod Griffin
18\. Lamar Liolevave
19\. Manaia Cherrington
20\. Jack Littlejohn
21\. Billy McConnachie
22\. JJ Felise

Coach: Jason Taylor

http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2016/02/11/team_announcement_nr.html

 

[king_sirro]

Strong team. Most interesting is Chee Kam in the centres. Clearly Taylor wants to have a look at that.

 

[Geo]

Agree KS…good to see Jesse Parahi and Aloiai starting and the Ipswich lads on the bench...Keen to see the State Cup squad...

Awaits the moaning about Milone and Lovett in the starting side..

 

[jirskyr]

So who is missing? Tedesco. Naiqama, Ava, Sue, Simona, Buchanan from the 9s. Woods, Siro, Hammer. Edwards and Ballin are long-term injured. Cassel concussed, Lawrence corked hip.

Interesting how it's full strength halves and hooker, but backup forwards and backline. It's actually a fairly non-first-choice squad otherwise.

 

[TrueTiger]

Seems like a realy good squad,great to see JT is giving the Ipswich boys a crack first up against a tough team…I hope Parahi kills them in the lock forwards jumper...good luck to all the players and JT....

 

[Snake]

I do not understand the Jacob Little selection just taking up space a more mature player that is pressing for Premier league/ NRL spot would of been a better option .

 

[Geo]

So who is missing? Tedesco. Naiqama, Ava, Sue, Simona, Buchanan from the 9s. Woods, Siro, Hammer. Edwards and Ballin are long-term injured. Cassel concussed, Lawrence corked hip.

Interesting how it's full strength halves and hooker, but backup forwards and backline. It's actually a fairly non-first-choice squad otherwise.

Seumanufagai and Sue have been named in the State Cup squad,,,Lawrence is playing All Stars…

 

[Tony33]

Most excited to see:

- Chee-Kam in the centres
- Parahi at lock
- Aloaia in the second row
- Grant at starting prop

Also keen to see how our halves and hooker gel wilthout Teddy chiming in at the back. Lets hope with another off-season under their belts they can step it up a notch. Excuses for the two young halves are well and truely running out, they have to start performing now.

 

[Demps]

Very keen to see Parahi at lock.

Liddle is a gutsy player, he won't let anyone down….
Good to see they're giving him a chance.
Prob NSW cup hooker for 2016?

 

[sheer64]

Is Brooks allowed to play trials whilst still suspended?

 

[Harvey]

I do not understand the Jacob Little selection just taking up space a more mature player that is pressing for Premier league/ NRL spot would of been a better option .

I don't think that there is any limit on the numbers they can select for the trial. Realistically there are only 3 true hookers at the club & one is unavailable. I have big wraps on Liddle, and is good to see he has been taken along for the experience. I think he will be challenging Cherrington for the hooking spot in a couple of years. Also good to see JJ Felise taken along for the experience

 

[Geo]

Is Brooks allowed to play trials whilst still suspended?

Yes Grade 1 and 2 can play in NRL sanctioned trials 9's All Stars etc but must serve their suspension in regular season NRL games….

 

[MacDougall]

Parahi selected ahead of Griffin & Liolevave means he must have shown himself to be pretty handy in the pre-season.

Dallas Graham starting prop here too.

Liddle and Felise were standouts in NYC last year. They'll be in the top squad sooner or later. JJ Felise will play first grade this year I reckon.

Brooks and Moses selected here is interesting.

 

[Harvey]

Dallas Graham an interersting selection. Think Chee-Kam will spend some time in the back-row given the lack of options on the bench. I honestly do not believe that Liolevave is anywhere near up to 1st grade standard

 

[851]

Is Brooks allowed to play trials whilst still suspended?

Yes he is, and I to am keen to see MCK go around in the centres, and Jessie at lock could be a great move.

 

[stevetiger]

Strong team. Most interesting is Chee Kam in the centres. Clearly Taylor wants to have a look at that.

I think Simona and Naiqama are shoe-ins in the centres but I think JAC has a chance to grab a wing spot.

 

[The_Phantom]

I just don't understand what our coaching staff see in Lovett.

 

[Harvey]

Clubs are allowed to stream trial games, anyone know if this is being shown on the net? I am keen to get a look at McConnachie

 

[fergiefurr]

Strong team. Most interesting is Chee Kam in the centres. Clearly Taylor wants to have a look at that.

apparently chee kam has mainly been training at center.

i'm excited and think its a smart team for a trial. we all know teddy, woods, ava, sue, simona, lawrence, siro etc will be there so gives the other guys a chance to shine with 3/4 of the spine playing.

moses and brooks need some time together considering brooks will miss round 1.

really hoping its streamed somewhere but not expecting it.

 

[Guest]

Interesting lineup, especially some of the young guns such as Liddle and Felise getting a run. Good to see Parahi and the Ipswich boys named, along with Dallas Graham up front, he really deserves a chance to play some injury free football. Also keen to hear how Josh A goes in the backrow, I'm hoping he's a chance to be part of the 17 this year if he can provide a consistent level of impact.