COACH Tim Sheens is expected to bring back international winger Lote Tuqiri for next Sunday's clash with Parramatta as the Wests Tigers look to stretch their winning run to six.
Left winger Matt Utai is facing the axe to accommodate Tuqiri, who has managed only five NRL appearances this year.
The return of the dual international comes at an opportune time for the Tigers, who have lost left centre Chris Lawrence until week one of the finals with a hamstring injury.
Tuqiri missed eight weeks after breaking his arm in round four, only to return and sustain a severe high ankle sprain against Newcastle in round 14.
Right winger Beau Ryan is expected to retain his position despite Tuqiri's return.
Tigers back-rower Liam Fulton admitted Tuqiri's inclusion was guaranteed to add an extra dimension to the Tigers' left-edge attack.
"Lote should be right for this week, so that'll be a big boost. He's missed a lot of footy, so to get him back now will definitely add something," Fulton said. "He's been there and done that - and we're missing Chris Lawrence on that side now, so to get him back will be a bonus."
Fulton and fellow back-rower Gareth Ellis were outstanding for the Tigers as the club made it five wins in a row against Penrith on Friday.
But Sheens still found plenty of fault in the victory, reprimanding the side for allowing Panthers winger Ryan Walker to score a late consolation try.
"That was probably my fault because I dropped the ball off the kick-off - I'll take the blame for that," Fulton said.
"I tried to put my foot over the sideline because Brad Tighe kept kicking the ball to me all night and it ended up dropping in front of me.
"It was one of those games that was hard to get up for because Penrith had all their star players out.
"So we had to make sure we got our heads around it and still put in a professional performance. To get the win was good."
The Tigers are shooting for the top four and must win their remaining games against Parramatta, Gold Coast and Cronulla - and have other results go their way - to be any hope.
Prop Keith Galloway said the club was re-energised after putting the mid-season uncertainty surrounding contracts for next season to rest.
"A win's a win, but our completions (weren't great) and I was guilty of a couple of mistakes," Galloway said. "So we've got some stuff to work on, but it's another win, our fifth in a row.
"Lote's probably a good chance of playing next week, and if not then it looks like it will be the week after."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/lote-tuqiri-adds-attacking-spark-to-wests-tigers-left-side/story-e6frexnr-1226114320506
Left winger Matt Utai is facing the axe to accommodate Tuqiri, who has managed only five NRL appearances this year.
The return of the dual international comes at an opportune time for the Tigers, who have lost left centre Chris Lawrence until week one of the finals with a hamstring injury.
Tuqiri missed eight weeks after breaking his arm in round four, only to return and sustain a severe high ankle sprain against Newcastle in round 14.
Right winger Beau Ryan is expected to retain his position despite Tuqiri's return.
Tigers back-rower Liam Fulton admitted Tuqiri's inclusion was guaranteed to add an extra dimension to the Tigers' left-edge attack.
"Lote should be right for this week, so that'll be a big boost. He's missed a lot of footy, so to get him back now will definitely add something," Fulton said. "He's been there and done that - and we're missing Chris Lawrence on that side now, so to get him back will be a bonus."
Fulton and fellow back-rower Gareth Ellis were outstanding for the Tigers as the club made it five wins in a row against Penrith on Friday.
But Sheens still found plenty of fault in the victory, reprimanding the side for allowing Panthers winger Ryan Walker to score a late consolation try.
"That was probably my fault because I dropped the ball off the kick-off - I'll take the blame for that," Fulton said.
"I tried to put my foot over the sideline because Brad Tighe kept kicking the ball to me all night and it ended up dropping in front of me.
"It was one of those games that was hard to get up for because Penrith had all their star players out.
"So we had to make sure we got our heads around it and still put in a professional performance. To get the win was good."
The Tigers are shooting for the top four and must win their remaining games against Parramatta, Gold Coast and Cronulla - and have other results go their way - to be any hope.
Prop Keith Galloway said the club was re-energised after putting the mid-season uncertainty surrounding contracts for next season to rest.
"A win's a win, but our completions (weren't great) and I was guilty of a couple of mistakes," Galloway said. "So we've got some stuff to work on, but it's another win, our fifth in a row.
"Lote's probably a good chance of playing next week, and if not then it looks like it will be the week after."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/lote-tuqiri-adds-attacking-spark-to-wests-tigers-left-side/story-e6frexnr-1226114320506
