Match Discussion: Round 14 vs Penrith (H) @ Commbank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2025 - Round 14
Wests Tigers v Penrith
Commbank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal (TICKETS)

Sunday 8 June 2025
NRL kickoff 4:05pm.
Live on Fox, Kayo, Nine, 9Now

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To'a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Sione Fainu 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Latu Fainu 15. Jack Bird 16. Kit Laulilii 17. Charlie Murray 18. Luke Laulilii 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Charlie Staines 21. Brent Naden 22. Elie El-Zakhem

Out: Royce Hunt (front row), Alex Twal (lock), Charlie Staines (wing to reserve), Brent Naden (bench to reserve)
In: Jeral Skelton (wing), Latu Fainu (bench), Kit Laulilii (bench), Charlie Murray (bench)
Changes: Alex Seyfarth (second row to lock), Sione Fainu (bench to front row), Tanous Sukkar (bench to second row)

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To'o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Luron Patea 17. Daine Laurie 18. Brad Schneider 19. Isaiah Papali'i 20. Trent Toelau 21. Luke Garner 22. Paul Alamoti

Out: None (one unused interchange player last week)
In: Daine Laurie (bench)

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Sideline Officials: Drew Oultram, Jon Stone
Video Referee: Adam Gee

HEAD TO HEAD - 2000 - 2024​

	TOTAL	WESTS TIGERS	PENRITH	DRAWN
ALL MATCHES	41	15	26	0
COMMBANK	2	0	2	0

LAST FIVE MEETINGS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2021	Round 13	WESTS TIGERS 26-6	Leichhardt	9127
2021	Round 24	PENRITH 30-16	Moreton Daily	5351
2022	Round 18	PENRITH 18-16	CommBank	11464
2023	Round 9	WESTS TIGERS 12-8	Carrington	11055
2024	Round 7	PENRITH 22-6	Carrington	12000

BIGGEST WINS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2001	Round 25	PENRITH 44-10	Penrith	11172
2017	Round 2	PENRITH 36-2	Campbelltown	12232
2012	Round 7	WESTS TIGERS 30-0	Centrebet	15759

NEXT FOUR MATCHES​

	Round 16	Round 17	Round 18	Round 19
WESTS TIGERS	CANBERRA (H)	MANLY (A)	SYDNEY (A)	WARRIORS (A)
PENRITH	WARRIORS (A)	CANTERBURY (H)	(BYE)	PARRAMATTA (A)

LAST THREE MATCHES​

	Round 11		Round 12		Round 13
WESTS TIGERS	SOUTH SYDNEY	L 12-22	(BYE)		NORTH QLD	L 28-32
PENRITH	(BYE)	NEWCASTLE	L 6-25	PARRAMATTA	W 18-10

STATE OF PLAY: 2025 SEASON​

	POSITION	PLAYED	BYES	W-L-D	FOR	AGAINST
WESTS TIGERS	13th	12	1	5-7-0	254	312
PENRITH	14th	12	1	4-7-1	268	281

LOWER GRADES

NSW Cup: NORTH SYDNEY (MEL) v PENRITH, North Sydney Oval, Sunday, 5:00pm

NSW Cup: CANTERBURY v WESTERN SUBURBS (WST), Accor Stadium, Monday, 1:40pm

Jersey Flegg: MELBOURNE v PENRITH, AAMI Park, Friday, 3:30pm

Jersey Flegg: CANTERBURY v WESTS TIGERS, Belmore Sports Ground, Friday, 7:00pm

 

[Tigerm]

Got a feeling this is a now or never game.

 

[Tiger Ted]

Got a feeling this is a now or never game.

We don’t win these types of games.Actually I’m predicting we will be back in our rightful place at the foot of the ladder in 1 mth

 

[Chins]

This is the first game of 2025 that I haven't wanted Wests to win. Hopefully you can wait another week before your run to the finals

 

[League Unlimited News]

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To'a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Sione Fainu 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth

Interchange
14. Latu Fainu 15. Jack Bird 16. Kit Laulilii 17. Charlie Murray

Reserves
18. Luke Laulilii 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Charlie Staines 21. Brent Naden 22. Elie El-Zakhem

Out: Royce Hunt (front row), Alex Twal (lock)

In: Jeral Skelton (wing), Latu Fainu (bench), Kit Laulilii (bench), Charlie Murray (bench)

Changes: Charlie Staines (wing to reserve), Alex Seyfarth (second row to lock), Brent Naden (bench to reserve), Sione Fainu (bench to front row), Tanous Sukkar (bench to second row)

https://leagueunlimited.com/news/leagueunlimited-nrl-teams-2025-round-14/

 

[Tigerm]

But does anyone know anything about this guy?

 

[Tiger05]

Geez Staines is unlucky. I would play Turuva in the centres and drop Doueihi.

Is Hunt injured or dropped. He definitely isn't meeting our standards at this point.

Kit coming in is awesome.

 

[Tigerm]

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To'a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Sione Fainu 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth

Interchange
14. Latu Fainu 15. Jack Bird 16. Kit Laulilii 17. Charlie Murray

Reserves
18. Luke Laulilii 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Charlie Staines 21. Brent Naden 22. Elie El-Zakhem

Out: Royce Hunt (front row), Alex Twal (lock)

In: Jeral Skelton (wing), Latu Fainu (bench), Kit Laulilii (bench), Charlie Murray (bench)

Changes: Charlie Staines (wing to reserve), Alex Seyfarth (second row to lock), Brent Naden (bench to reserve), Sione Fainu (bench to front row), Tanous Sukkar (bench to second row)

https://leagueunlimited.com/news/leagueunlimited-nrl-teams-2025-round-14/

Some old faces back, unfortunately, it means we have injuries, but they are not bad.
Good to see Skelton back.
The 3 Fainu's will play together again at some stage.
Kit Has been going great in cup.
Us by 6, with Bula MoM.

 

[Tigerm]

Team List:
1. Jahream Bula - sponsored by Sensory Gardens Australia
2. Sunia Turuva - sponsored by Ellis Consolidated
3. Adam Doueihi - sponsored by Murray Kennedy Real Estate
4. Starford To'a - sponsored by Z Wealth Group
5. Jeral Skelton - sponsored by Exclusive Estate Agents
6. Heath Mason - sponsored by Retro Air
7. Jarome Luai (c) - sponsored by APN Compounding
8. Terrell May - sponsored by Z Realty Group
9. Api Koroisau (c) - sponsored by KwikFlo
10. Sione Fainu - sponsored by Club Menangle
11. Samuela Fainu - sponsored by Mars Forklifts
12. Tony Sukkar - sponsored by Ultra Building Works
13. Alex Seyfarth - sponsored by Endacom
Interchange:
14. Latu Fainu - sponsored by One World Courier
15. Jack Bird - sponsored by Shane’s Waterproofing
16. Kit Laulili'i - sponsored by MJS Electrical Products & Supplies
17. Charlie Murray - sponsored by Workplace Law
Reserves:
18. Luke Laulili'i - sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
19. Tallyn Da Silva - sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
20. Charlie Staines - sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
21. Brent Naden - sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
22. Elie El-Zakhem - sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
Coach: Benji Marshall - sponsored by Pepper Money

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2025/06/03/team-list-nrl-round-14-vs-panthers/

It looks a small forward pack.
Interesting where they play Latu, at 7 or 6?
Assuming of course, that's where they will play him.

 

[Tiger05]

It looks a small forward pack.
Interesting where they play Latu, at 7 or 6?
Assuming of course, that's where they will play him.

I suppose it doesn't matter but I would have Luai doing most of the general kicking. They both need to run the ball. Munster/Hughes both are runners of the footy. We can use that style as well.

The pack might be small but Royce has been poor defensively and done very little with the ball. I think it's time to replace him. I really hope we haven't signed him long term because it looks like he needs to go already. I reckon considering we have Pole out and we've let Klemmer and Bateman our pack looks pretty good. I think it's better without Royce.

I'm hoping we see a team ready to attack for 80 minutes and we aren't pushing the ball and doing stupid stuff. We just go at them.

 

[Trollhammaren]

I suppose it doesn't matter but I would have Luai doing most of the general kicking. They both need to run the ball. Munster/Hughes both are runners of the footy. We can use that style as well.

The pack might be small but Royce has been poor defensively and done very little with the ball. I think it's time to replace him. I really hope we haven't signed him long term because it looks like he needs to go already. I reckon considering we have Pole out and we've let Klemmer and Bateman our pack looks pretty good. I think it's better without Royce.

I'm hoping we see a team ready to attack for 80 minutes and we aren't pushing the ball and doing stupid stuff. We just go at them.

Royce is signed up for 3 years. No idea what happened, but would have to think he copped an injury on the weekend. Played the first ten mins or so, and didn't come back on. When we were down a middle as well.

 

[Tigerm]

I suppose it doesn't matter but I would have Luai doing most of the general kicking. They both need to run the ball. Munster/Hughes both are runners of the footy. We can use that style as well.

The pack might be small but Royce has been poor defensively and done very little with the ball. I think it's time to replace him. I really hope we haven't signed him long term because it looks like he needs to go already. I reckon considering we have Pole out and we've let Klemmer and Bateman our pack looks pretty good. I think it's better without Royce.

I'm hoping we see a team ready to attack for 80 minutes and we aren't pushing the ball and doing stupid stuff. We just go at them.

I would imagine, Royce is playing to instructions, I doubt he was signed to be another May.
Anyway, I do agree they look mobile, though one of our problems has always been, our pack always looks small compared to other packs.
EDIT: He is playing in NSW Cup this week.

 

[Tigerm]

Some old faces back, unfortunately, it means we have injuries, but they are not bad.
Good to see Skelton back.
The 3 Fainu's will play together again at some stage.
Kit Has been going great in cup.
Us by 6, with Bula MoM.

Murray, a 23-year-old lock forward, is set to make his NRL debut after featuring for Wests Magpies in the NSW Cup this season.
-----------
Well done mate.

 

[chunk]

Hope Sukkar has a big game and kicks on, that would be very good for the team

 

[Tiger05]

Royce is signed up for 3 years. No idea what happened, but would have to think he copped an injury on the weekend. Played the first ten mins or so, and didn't come back on. When we were down a middle as well.

He has been picked in reserve grade. He has been shit for us.

I would imagine, Royce is playing to instructions, I doubt he was signed to be another May.
Anyway, I do agree they look mobile, though one of our problems has always been, our pack always looks small compared to other packs.
EDIT: He is playing in NSW Cup this week.

If Royce is playing to instructions our coaches should all be sacked.. He was paid to come in and have an impact even if it is only for 20 minutes.

He has been terrible. He lack of effort without the ball is noticeable. He makes 2 runs a game. Make him play 80 minutes in cup until he gets his fitness back. If he can't do that drop him down another level..

 

[Tiger05]

Hope Sukkar has a big game and kicks on, that would be very good for the team

I reckon he looks good. Not great but good. He appears to have the ability to run hard on an edge.

 

[glockers]

Can anyone fill me in on Elie El-Zakhem?

 

[Wizardman]

We don’t win these types of games.Actually I’m predicting we will be back in our rightful place at the foot of the ladder in 1 mth

I think Newie/Gold Coast have that covered but we'll be amongst them I fear.

 

[Nutz]

I was reading reports on Murray from his junior days coach and he says that he is a weapon and was always the top dog, especially running on the edges.
We have had a few good players come through the Easts Tigers pathways now, like Solomona Fataape, Tristan Hope and now Charlie Murray.
This is because Easts have played very well lately which includes a GF win that Faataape played in.
Having said that, those players are solid but not world beaters.
Murray is only 183cm and 96kg. Unless that small frame can be as good as Nikora's I don't see him having an impact in the NRL.
I really hope I'm wrong but the doubt is warranted.
Bateman is of similar build and he was frigging hopeless. I hope Murray has a better mindset than Johnny.
I really wish the tigers would recruit a beast.
I'm convinced that Hunt has that in him.
He's been my cash cow for a few seasons now, so I've watched a lot of his games.
I've seen him drag several defenders with him in a hit up and make decent post contact metres.
The big issue with him is fitness.
I can't see him being in first grade again until he can play 2 x 20min stints at full on involvement.
Hunt has been very disappointing the say the least, especially after a gruelling preseason where I thought he'd turned the corner.

 

[Tiger05]

I'm convinced that Hunt has that in him.
He's been my cash cow for a few seasons now, so I've watched a lot of his games.
I've seen him drag several defenders with him in a hit up and make decent post contact metres.
The big issue with him is fitness.
I can't see him being in first grade again until he can play 2 x 20min stints at full on involvement.
Hunt has been very disappointing the say the least, especially after a gruelling preseason where I thought he'd turned the corner.

He has been crap for us. I'd be happy with one 20 minute stint.

He is pissing me off because I think he is an impact prop and we desperately need that type of player. Someone who can come on and crash and burn.