Wests Tigers Team v Canberra Rd 1

[Geo]

All the Round 1 team news!
Author
Dan Talintyre
Timestamp
Tue 9 Mar 2021, 04:00 PM

Wests Tigers Coach Michael Maguire has named a strong 21-man squad for his side’s season opener against the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium this Sunday.

Five of the club’s new recruits will make their Wests Tigers debuts, with James Roberts also set to play his 150th career NRL game.

Roberts will form part of an exciting new backline for Wests Tigers in Round 1, with fellow new recruit Daine Laurie named to start at fullback. With Adam Doueihi (suspension) unavailable this week, Moses Mbye starts at five-eighth alongside Luke Brooks in the halves while AJ Kepaoa and Joseph Leilua form a new left-wing combination with Tommy Talau listed on the bench.

Up front, captain James Tamou and Joe Ofahengaue form a new front-row rotation with Maori All Stars representative Russell Packer joining Thomas Mikaele and Stefano Utoikamanu on the bench — the latter of whom will make his Wests Tigers debut.

Halfback Jock Madden joins fellow rookie Tuki Simpkins, Michael Chee Kam and Alex Seyfarth amongst the reserves as part of the 21-man squad.

Wests Tigers will provide an updated 19-man team list at 4:05pm AEDT on Saturday before finalising their 17-man team list one hour prior to kickoff (3:05pm, Sunday).
WESTS TIGERS

1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. James Roberts
4. Joseph Leilua
5. AJ Kepaoa
6. Moses Mbye
7. Luke Brooks
8. James Tamou (capt.)
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Joe Ofahengaue
11. Luke Garner
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Alex Twal

Interchange:
14. Tommy Talau
15. Thomas Mikaele
16. Stefano Utoikamanu
17. Russell Packer

Reserves:
18. Jock Madden
19. Michael Chee Kam
20. Tuki Simpkins
21. Alex Seyfarth

Coach: Michael Maguire

 

[avocadoontoast]

Talau at 14 and Packer are bizarre inclusions.

Can't understand why Simpkin would be left out.

 

[Speed2burn]

Congrats to Joe Offa, Laurie, Tamou and Stefano making their WT debuts.

Interesting having Talau on the bench

 

[Geo]

SACK Madge..

As a selector

 

[WT2K]

Good stuff. Bring on Sunday!

 

[mike]

All the Round 1 team news!
Author
Dan Talintyre
Timestamp
Tue 9 Mar 2021, 04:00 PM
Wests Tigers Coach Michael Maguire has named a strong 21-man squad for his side’s season opener against the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium this Sunday.

Five of the club’s new recruits will make their Wests Tigers debuts, with James Roberts also set to play his 150th career NRL game.

Roberts will form part of an exciting new backline for Wests Tigers in Round 1, with fellow new recruit Daine Laurie named to start at fullback. With Adam Doueihi (suspension) unavailable this week, Moses Mbye starts at five-eighth alongside Luke Brooks in the halves while AJ Kepaoa and Joseph Leilua form a new left-wing combination with Tommy Talau listed on the bench.

Up front, captain James Tamou and Joe Ofahengaue form a new front-row rotation with Maori All Stars representative Russell Packer joining Thomas Mikaele and Stefano Utoikamanu on the bench — the latter of whom will make his Wests Tigers debut.

Halfback Jock Madden joins fellow rookie Tuki Simpkins, Michael Chee Kam and Alex Seyfarth amongst the reserves as part of the 21-man squad.

Wests Tigers will provide an updated 19-man team list at 4:05pm AEDT on Saturday before finalising their 17-man team list one hour prior to kickoff (3:05pm, Sunday).

Match: Raiders v Wests Tigers
ROUND 1 - SUNDAY 14TH MARCH

>
Venue:GIO Stadium, Canberra
WESTS TIGERS
1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. James Roberts
4. Joseph Leilua
5. AJ Kepaoa
6. Moses Mbye
7. Luke Brooks
8. James Tamou (capt.)
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Joe Ofahengaue
11. Luke Garner
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Alex Twal

Interchange:
14. Tommy Talau
15. Thomas Mikaele
16. Stefano Utoikamanu
17. Russell Packer

Reserves:
18. Jock Madden
19. Michael Chee Kam
20. Tuki Simpkins
21. Alex Seyfarth

Coach: Michael Maguire


Pretty close. Mbye at six instead of Madden & Mikaele instead of Simpkins. Team's OK. Should put in a good performance.

 

[Telltails]

I'll go with it. Liddle gets his chance to own the DH. Packer also rewarded for good preseason.

 

[Speed2burn]

Talau at 14 and Packer are bizarre inclusions.

Can't understand why Simpkin would be left out.

I don’t think Packer is that bizarre considering It would have been between him and Seyfarth. The cold feet may be an issue in Canberra though!

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Talau at 14 and Packer are bizarre inclusions.

Can't understand why Simpkin would be left out.

Talau can cover nearly any spot in the backline better than MCK and could also move into the backrow if really needed

Who else would you put infront?

Packer will get replaced by Musgrove when he is back. Madge is showing clear intent he wants size and some speed this year

I like the backline if it’s on fire huge amount of points to be had.

 

[hsvjones]

Can understand no Simpkins this week with Tommy in the 14 as he can cover 6 if needed and Mybe can jump into 9 if needed.

 

[hobbo1]

Talau at 14 and Packer are bizarre inclusions.

Can't understand why Simpkin would be left out.

Mbye will shift to hooker if Liddle needs a breather
Talau will move to 5/8
And Packman provides experience or a coat hanger (if required)
Simples 😂

 

[jrtiger]

Find it a bit interesting that Simpkin isn't in the 17, let alone the 21

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Good team
shame about Simpkin hope he doesn't get disenchanted if his time doesn't come
Tommy talau a strange one but like Mmbye at 6 we should hold our own against raiders

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Find it a bit interesting that Simpkin isn't in the 17, let alone the 21

maybe they want 80 min game time in Reggie's for him.

 

[yeti]

Pretty much the team I expected. Next week, all things being equal, Doueihi to replace Mbye who reverts to the bench in place of Talau.

 

[Newtown]

I like the look of our team especially with Laurie at fullback and MBye to five eight where he can fill in at hooker if required whilst Talua comes into five eighth) . The team looks solid and competitive all round. Unfortunately Madden is still a long way off first grade standard and needs to make his way there through convincing performances in Canterbury Cup.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Talau at 14 and Packer are bizarre inclusions.

Can't understand why Simpkin would be left out.

Mbye will shift to hooker if Liddle needs a breather
Talau will move to 5/8
And Packman provides experience or a coat hanger (if required)
Simples ?

I think I probably would have preferred to have Simpkin give Liddle a breather and Mbye stay at 6 the whole game. But i'm not at training every day so what the hell would I know.

 

[diedpretty]

Looks like the writing is on the wall for Mbye. Laurie gets first crack to make the number 1 his. With Douehi back in rnd 2 to move in to the 6 you would have to think Mbye to 14.

 

[TheDaBoss]

Havent been more excited hearing eye of the tiger lol

Up the boys

 

[The_Patriot]

Talau at 14 is pure Sheenius genius.

Can cover most positions and balances out squad with no Blore. I expect will play an edge at some point.

I for one love the Packer pick. Perfect horses for courses against the Raiders.

Good work Kepoa. Always thought he had the spot over Talau.