Wests Tigers team v Sharks

[Kul]

1\. Shannon McDonnell
2\. Kevin Naiqama
3\. Tim Simona
4\. Chris Lawrence
5\. Pat Richards
6\. Mitchell Moses
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Aaron Woods
9\. Robbie Farah (capt.)
10\. Keith Galloway
11\. Curtis Sironen
12\. Sauaso Sue
13\. Dene Halatau

Interchange
14\. Ava Seumanufagai
15\. Matthew Lodge
16\. Martin Taupau
17\. Brenden Santi
18\. James Tedesco
19\. Delouise Hoeter

Coach: Jason Taylor

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[king_sirro]

Very ordinary team
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Hope it changes for round one

 

[Sabre]

Would have liked to see Lio and Cherrington trial with the NRL side.

 

[Milky]

Lio for Halatau and im happy

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[LCA]

Yup. Injuries/recovery aside, I would have preferred a less "typical" squad to be chosen. So, we are going with Galloway and Lawrence again to, somehow, reinvent themselves as NRL quality players? When is enough of these two? Surely if the message was that others are in the sights to take a starting spot, Taylor wouldn't have started with them?

 

[sheer64]

I thought I read that Halatau hurt his hamstring and may even be in doubt for round 1.

 

[Eddie]

If that's the sort of side that runs out most weeks I think we are in for a long old year.

On paper that is a bottom 3-4 side, some would argue a wooden spoon side.

I hope to be surprised, however there are a lot of genuine plodders in there with some young guys who have not proved themselves.

 

[innsaneink]

did u expect much different???

 

[Eddie]

I suppose no.

But when you see it it sort of stuns you a bit that that is close to full strength. Maybe we/some are being delausional to expect this team to challenge for the 8.

I know they were not world beaters, and I agree with the decision to cut them loose due to future planning. However Blair, Thompson, Austin and Gavet would have made the team a whole lot stronger in the forwards..

It's going to be hard to improve on last years 13th place finish is just my gut feeling.

 

[Tony33]

Obviously Teddy will come in for McDonnell in round 1\. The interesting question is whether Nofo comes straight in for Naqaima or if he will have to work for his wing spot as Naqaima has been killing it.

Other than that, I would give Liolevavae a few weeks in NSW Cup before moving Sue to to lock and slottting him straight on to that left edge.

Our back row really is a cause for concern. We need Siro and Sue to start to live up to the hype otherwise we should start looking elsewhere for second row options.

I hear that Jason Taumololo is off contract next year…

If we can solve our back row issues, I can't see why that team can't challenge for a top 8 spot this year and a premiership in the next 2 or 3 years.

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[Chainlink]

I dont mind the look of an Ava, Lodge, Tapau, Santi bench.

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[happy_tiger]

What's Buchanan done wrong all pre season ??

 

[king_sirro]

did u expect much different???

I did a little.

McDonnell as first choice back up for Teddy is a worry, let's hope James stays fit.

Halatau and Sue starting. Both haven't done anything to warrant that, especially Halatau.

But this doesn't mean he will start the year there. Could be that he knows what Taupau can do at 13 so he's just having a look at Halatau. However, it does suggest Halatau is well in line for a top 17 spot which is ludicrous. Laziest defender in the comp.

 

[Geo]

Players will be added…relax

 

[king_sirro]

Yeh Geo….hoping Lamar, Cherrington, Drinkwater and Brown/Buchanan back up after state cup.

 

[happy_tiger]

Players will be added…relax

Sorry Geo , not into Frankie Goes to Hollywood

 

[Tigersmurf]

We name a trial team and people get hysterical! Not sure why people are insinuating who does and doesn't deserve their spots, when I bet no one has been to training each week to watch performances and there is only limited coverage of last weeks trial.

This will be close to our best squad with a couple of exceptions. Looking forward to seeing how they defend, nothing else. Defend well and no injuries and I'll be happy.

 

[PYMBLEPETE]

I dont mind the look of an Ava, Lodge, Tapau, Santi bench.

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Yep, the bench looks great. Tedesco and Nofa back in (eventually) and Halatau somewhere other than run-on and the side starts to look a lot stronger.

I dont get the hate for Galloway. It is a matter of record that he has played the past couple of years with toe injuries, no doubt amongst other problems. I know it is getting back a bit in time now, but our semi against Canberra in Canberra when the monster Canberra pack was supposed to steam roll us - but didn't courtesy of Galloway with great support from Ellis is too fresh for me to write him off. If he is fit he will go good.

 

[tig_prmz]

I'd say McDonnell is 4th choice after teddy, moltz and Rowe.

Very weak backrow as expected- hoping they have all gotten heaps better with this preseason. I know many don't rate halatau but I'd have him there in the 13 as long as he's fit. I've seen him make some cracker cover tackles in the absence of Fulton.

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[Russell]

It is a trial for God sake.

That means he is probably trialing people to see if they are any good.

McDonnell is there because he knows somebody but won't be when Teddy is back.
Taylor basically said he wants to give players more game time because that is what they will need in round 1\. Can't argue with that.

Still in the trials and we have people writing us off already "won't be challenging for the eight" - "bottom 4 side" - maybe the wooden spoon.

Doom and gloom - I just hope the team doesn't read these comments - they are real confidence boosters.

Believe me, it will be a great season, we, will go well, youngsters will shine and some of the older guys will get their mojo back. eeeh! Ya!!! TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!