Wests Tigers NSW Cup welcome Tuqiri and Bell

[Guest]

Wests Tigers NSW Cup welcome Tuqiri and Bell
Brock Corfe

Wednesday 7 August 2013 12:01 PM

The Wests Tigers NSW Cup side will take to Leichhardt Oval this Saturday fielding one the most experienced teams in the competition.

With 499 NRL games between 12 experienced players in this week's line-up, the return of Lote Tuqiri and Matt Bell will be a huge boost as they take on the top of the table Cronulla Sharks.

Coach Paul Fletcher said the inclusion of Tuqiri and Bell would add much needed experience to a side that has been decimated throughout 2013 due to a horror run of injuries at the Club.

“We are looking forward to having both Bell and Tuqiri back,” Fletcher said.

“They will add a bit of leadership and experience which will definitely come in handy.”

The returning pair will join Matt Utai, Sean Meaney, Matt Groat, Shaun Spence, Sitaleki Akauola, Rory Brien, Jarred Farlow, Moses Pangai, James Gavet and Eddie Paea who have had a taste of NRL before in the squad.

With the Sharks only losing two matches all year, it will be tough task for the Wests Tigers who sit in sixth spot and just two points out of the top four.

Fletcher's side will be looking to bounce back from a 44-22 last round loss to Newtown with just five games remaining before the finals.

With Nathan Gardner, Mark Taufua, Chad Townsend and Siosaia Vave amongst the Sharks side, it’s easy to see why they sit on top of the ladder.

The NSW Cup match will kick-off at 1:10pm, with Western Suburbs Magpies playing in the Ron Massey Cup at 3pm.

Wests Tigers NSW Cup NRL experience:

Matt Utai – 167 games
Lote Tuqiri – 147 games
Matt Bell – 139 games
Matt Groat – 17 games
Sean Meaney – 10 games
Eddie Paea – 8 games
Shaun Spence – 6 games
Jarred Farlow – 1 game
Rory Brien – 1 game
James Gavet – 1 game
Sitaleki Akauola – 1 game
Moses Pangai – 1 game
TOTAL – 499 NRL games

GAME DAY DETAILS:
Saturday, August 10
Leichhardt Oval
1:10pm – NSW CUP: Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks
3:00pm – Ron Massey Cup: Western Suburbs Magpies v Mounties
Admission: $10

 

[alexaki]

There is no one on that list **except** Gavet I'd like to see play NRL again..

 

[Sabre]

Farlow is handy, as is Akauola. Pangai could still come good.

 

[The_Tooth]

I think Bell has value, even for depth. I'd assume if he wasn't injured for so long he would have replaced Buchanan at different stages.

 

[happy_tiger]

Bell should be kept for 2014

Good solid back up and honest toiler

 

[happy_tiger]

There is no one on that list **except** Gavet I'd like to see play NRL again..

Sitaleki has big wraps on him , back rower of the future for the Tigers

 

[balmain boy]

I think sitaleki's issue at the moment is consistency. If he can work on that in nsw cup then he'll be in with a shout next season!

 

[GoldXR50Leroy]

It's great to have Matt Bell back on board but really if Mr T. hadn't gotten injured would Lote get a look in?.

 

[pHyR3]

It's great to have Matt Bell back on board but really if Mr T. hadn't gotten injured would Lote get a look in?.

yes.

 

[Aladinsane]

**Preview**

Wests Tigers Vs Cronulla Sharks
Leichhardt Oval, Saturday, August 10
Kick-off: 1.10pm
Referee: Lawrence McDonell
Broadcast: LIVE on Fox Sports 1

**Summary**:
Certainly one of the clashes of the round here at Leichhardt Oval when the Tigers look to cement their place in the top eight while the Sharks look to continue to build towards September and beyond. These two sides head into this clash off the back of conflicting results last round with the Sharks posting a resounding 24-0 victory against Wyong while the Tigers were very disappointing with some poor discipline seeing them go down to the Jets 44-22 at Henson Park. No one questions the talent in that Paul Fletcher has in his squad but he has publicly mentioned that their concentration for 80 minutes can sometimes falter. The Tigers will be boosted by the inclusions of Matt Bell and duel international Lote Tuqiri for this clash while the Sharks will lose Slade Griffin but do gain the services of Tyrone Peachey.
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**Talking** **Point**:
All on the line – The Tigers should know all too well just how big this clash is. They appear to be sitting comfortably in sixth place on 24 points with the ninth placed Cutters some five points behind them with five rounds left, but a closer analysis of the Tigers run home shows that they are anything but safe. The teams directly below them in the Vulcans and Mounties will be heavy favourites to win their matches this round while the Cutters are gifted two more points for their second and final bye of the season. With games to come over the concluding rounds against both the Cutters and Mounties, the Tigers season may yet come right down to the wire.
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**Prediction**: The Tigers will give a good account of themselves but the Sharks tip themselves really. Sharks by 10.

 

[Guest]

I think sitaleki's issue at the moment is consistency. If he can work on that in nsw cup then he'll be in with a shout next season!

Yeah I really hope he can take his game to the next level as he has the ability to break the line, get away an excellent offload as well as put on a solid hit. Just needs to improve his focus and desire and he could step up in a year or two if he develops that much needed consistency.