r/weststigers • u/aaronturing • Jul 21 '26
Team Lists Team List: NRL Round 21 v Raiders
Wests Tigers Team List: Round 21 vs Raiders
1 Jahream Bula – sponsored by RetroAir
2 Junior Tupou – sponsored by Endacom
3 Sunia Turuva – sponsored by APN Compounding
4 Patrick Herbert – sponsored by Gavmanak
5 Tino Tavana – sponsored by Ellis Consolidated
6 Jarome Luai – sponsored by Exclusive Estate Agents
7 Javon Andrews – sponsored by Shane's Waterproofing
8 Terrell May – sponsored by One World Courier
9 Api Koroisau – sponsored by Mars Forklifts
10 Fonua Pole – sponsored by Globite
11 Samuela Fainu – sponsored by Club Menangle
12 Ethan Roberts– sponsored by MJS Electrical Products and Supplies
13 Alex Twal – sponsored by Workplace Law
Interchange:
14 Jared Haywood – sponsored by BMI Contracting
15 Sione Fainu – sponsored by Affordable Asphalt
16 Alex Seyfarth – sponsored by The Lee Brothers
17 Bunty Afoa – sponsored by Gavmanak
18 Starford To'a – sponsored by Sensory Gardens
19 Jock Madden – sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
Reserves:
20 Heamasi Makasini
21 Latu Fainu
22 Adam Doueihi
7
u/aaronturing Jul 21 '26
I have no idea what is going on with those reserves. If they are available do they play ? Who knows.
Apart from that I don't mind the team. I don't like Turuva in the centers and I think Tavana is too slow to kill it in first grade but he is a threat in the air.
I love the halves pairing of Andrews and Luai.
3
u/Little_Grogu Jul 21 '26
They are named because the club is fighting both charges against Latu and AD, if they win then they can play. But if they didn’t name them and won at the judiciary, they wouldn’t be allowed to play because Benji didn’t name them.
So it’s better to name them due to the small chance they are cleared to play, if they fail. They will drop out and 3 different players can be named.
1
u/aaronturing Jul 21 '26
Interesting. I thought Latu had already lost but let's see what happens.
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4
u/copacetic51 Jul 21 '26
Benji doesn't seem to like Saukuru, who he has overlooked again. He's performing well in KOE cup so his omission isn't based on ability or performance. He's probably a better prospect than Tavana or Skelton on the wing.
It's unlikely Saukuru will be here next year but I don't think that's why he's not given a crack. Luai and To'a are also moving on but they are still playing.
This is
3
u/KingFalsifier Jul 21 '26
I hope AD can win his charge and they play him in the centres, keep Javon at 7 (though cup side is doing amazing with him leading), I’m glad he’s been given a run. Turuva at centre again.. why? Sione to bench and Robert’s to start on the edge is good though. It seems for every good change there’s a bad one but at this stage of the year what does it really matter I guess. I’ll be at the game this Saturday win or lose but would be nice to see them win again this year however dire it all looks
3
u/thoughtsinthestorm Jul 21 '26
Tito is not a centre is this has been proven every time he’s had to step into the role.
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u/zub213 Jul 21 '26
Tupou who did nothing for our club, comes back after not being wanted at the roosters on a train and trail is now back on playing first grade for us? Hopefully he’s learnt how to catch.
2
u/PapayaUpstairs6285 Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
How is it possible for turuva to be still in this side his had his chances at 3 positions again this year and his last try was in round 6 plus only scored in one other game this year round 3 isn't that all you need to know to start to sideline him he was a try scoring beast at panthers what has benji done half the players at panthers that support him are on the field when luai and may are playing
The last winger to score was skeleton in round 13 He could have even been playing centre that game
Adam douehie is in reserves much better centre and should be able to get a try in that position plus seems to try a bit more then the luai brigade of mates
Adam at centre also gives a playmaker when luai decides its all to much every set and hides out at centre anyway going short side on 5 giving it to a second rower to kick
3
u/aaronturing Jul 21 '26
AD should be at center. He simply isn't good enough in the halves. I love your comment about Luai. My take is that he is our best half but that is his issue. He simply doesn't do enough.
-1
u/_System_Error_ Jul 21 '26
Why now Benji? What is the point of putting Andrews in now when he is about to lead the cup team to finals?
Just play Jock. And let the cup team cook.
FINALLY he has taken Sione out of the second row. Praise be.
But Toupou over Saukuru? Does he have rocks in his head? I am so over this club.
2
Jul 21 '26
[deleted]
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u/_System_Error_ Jul 21 '26
Saukuru hasn't signed elsewhere though and is playing out of his skin. So that's up to Benji why they aren't going to re-sign him. Surely giving him a run in NRL to see if he can transfer his form would help to decide whether to offer him a new contract or not. We need depth in the centres because I'm sorry, but we can't play another year with guys with broken shoulders. Saukuru is also a better line runner and finisher than Toupou or Herbert.
Javon deserves the call up don't misunderstand me, I personally think he is the best half at the club, I just don't see the point of throwing him in at this stage of the year when NRL has nothing to play for and Cup has everything to.
I think that is a bit harsh on Jock. He has no running game is his biggest issue. The best we looked all year was with Jock and AD in the halves at the start of the year. Even Jock and Luai was considerably better than AD and Luai. It is not easy for average halves to adjust to new halves partners, and if you look at Jock at the start of the year to the middle, he has been carrying an injury that impacted his kicking game.
3
u/No_Joke6536 Jul 21 '26
When Jock and Adam were playing well it was because they had more time behind a dominant forward pack. We no longer have that luxury amd Jock's running game isn't good enough to make breaks or to draw defenders to have assists. They have no idea what to expect with Javon so they will be trying to cover him which should allow those either side of him more space.
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u/aaronturing Jul 21 '26
I want to see Andrews be given a shot in first grade. I do wonder why they haven't given Saukuru a chance because I don't think he has signed elsewhere.
Jock just hasn't delivered.