Match Discussion: Round 3 vs Cronulla @ Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal

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NRL 2024 - Round 3
Wests Tigers v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal, Lilyfield (TICKETS)

Saturday 23 March 2024
NRL kickoff 7:35pm
Broadcast live on Fox, Kayo.

1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Samuela Fainu 18. Asu Kepaoa 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Justin Matamua 21. Alexander Lobb 22. Brent Naden

Out: Starford To'a (centre)
In: Justin Olam (centre), Asu Kepaoa (bench), Jake Simpkin (bench), Justin Matamua (reserve), Alexander Lobb (reserve), Brent Naden (reserve)
Changes: Jayden Sullivan (halfback to bench), Alex Seyfarth (lock to bench), Aidan Sezer (bench to halfback), Fonua Pole (bench to lock)

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Jack Williams 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Dale Finucane 15. Royce Hunt 16. Billy Burns 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Kayal Iro 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Daniel Atkinson 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Jayden Berrell

Out: Briton Nikora (second row)
In: Royce Hunt (bench), Billy Burns (bench), Kayal Iro (bench), Daniel Atkinson (reserve), Samuel Stonestreet (reserve), Jayden Berrell (reserve)
Changes: Jack Williams (bench to second row)

Referee: Chris Butler
Sideline Officials: Tyson Broufgh, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Video Referee: Gerard Sutton

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H2H since 2000: 36 matches, Wests Tigers 18 Cronulla 17, drawn 1
Leichhardt: 9 matches, Wests Tigers 5 Cronulla 4
Last met: 2023 R19 - Cronulla 36-12, Commbank

Biggest wins:
Wests Tigers 56-10 (2009, R23 at Toyota)
Cronulla 50-20 (2021, R23 at Browne)

Next game:
R4: Parramatta v Wests Tigers, Commbank
R4: Cronulla v Canberra, Pointsbet​

 

[Vic Mackey]

a couple of weeks ago the mrs told me we had an engagement party to go to this night. at the time i was disappointed, now i just hope it has no tv, wifi or phone reception

 

[Tigerm]

For some reason, I was confident of a good showing at Canberra, but this one doesn't have a good feel to it all.

 

[Perth Tiger]

When is the last time, outside of that Cowboys game, have we actually turned up to LO and looked like a team that wanted to play?

 

[Trollhammaren]

So looks like Starford To’a is out for 8 weeks (requires surgery). Both Olam and Naden aren't available either. No idea what they'll do there.

 

[Tigerm]

So looks like Starford To’a is out for 8 weeks (requires surgery). Both Olam and Naden aren't available either. No idea what they'll do there.

Hopefully Benji doesn’t initiate the Sheenius clause and have FR in there?

 

[Perth Tiger]

So looks like Starford To’a is out for 8 weeks (requires surgery). Both Olam and Naden aren't available either. No idea what they'll do there.

Bateman to center, Sam Fainu to the edge and some nuffy to the bench is my guess. Assuming no one comes back from injury this week.

 

[Benchtiger]

Starford To'a is no loss, he is a disappointment, he had one stand out game against the cowboys ,then nothing since, he like a lot in the team, run onto to field and think their job is done with virtually no interest in getting involved.A Player like Api tries his heart out but is continually let down by his team mates.

 

[Tiger Ted]

Starford To'a is no loss, he is a disappointment, he had one stand out game against the cowboys ,then nothing since, he like a lot in the team, run onto to field and think their job is done with virtually no interest in getting involved.A Player like Api tries his heart out but is continually let down by his team mates.

I detest Toa.Hes utter garbage.We are loaded with shithouse footballers of the same ilk.There continues to be no light at end of the tunnel.

 

[Tigerm]

Team List: NRL Round 3 vs Sharks

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has named a 22-man squad for Saturday's Round 2 match against the Raiders in Canberra, with two players to make their NRL debut.

www.weststigers.com.au

Team List:

1. Jahream Bula - sponsored by Exclusive Estate Agents

2. Charlie Staines - sponsored by Gavmanak

3. Solomona Faataape - sponsored by Mater Dei on behalf of the Kirk Family

4. Justin Olam - sponsored by Ultra Building Works

5. Junior Tupou - sponsored by APN Compounding

6. Lachlan Galvin - sponsored by Leumeah Shopping Centre

7. Aidan Sezer - sponsored by Club Menangle

8. Stefano Utoikamanu - sponsored by ZWealth Group

9. Apisai Koroisau (c) - sponsored by ZRealty Group

10. David Klemmer - sponsored by Tidda Workforce

11. Isaiah Papali'i - sponsored by Murray Kennedy Real Estate

12. John Bateman - sponsored by The Meat Man

13. Fonua Pole - sponsored by LC Wealth

Interchange:

14. Jayden Sullivan - sponsored by Ellis Consolidated

15. Alex Seyfarth - sponsorship available

16. Alex Twal - sponsorship available

17. Samuela Fainu - sponsorship available

Reserves:

18. Asu Kepaoa - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

19. Jake Simpkin - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

20. Justin Matamua - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

21. Alex Lobb - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

22. Brent Naden - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

 

[Tigerm]

Team List: NRL Round 3 vs Sharks

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has named a 22-man squad for Saturday's Round 2 match against the Raiders in Canberra, with two players to make their NRL debut.

www.weststigers.com.au

Team List:

1. Jahream Bula - sponsored by Exclusive Estate Agents

2. Charlie Staines - sponsored by Gavmanak

3. Solomona Faataape - sponsored by Mater Dei on behalf of the Kirk Family

4. Justin Olam - sponsored by Ultra Building Works

5. Junior Tupou - sponsored by APN Compounding

6. Lachlan Galvin - sponsored by Leumeah Shopping Centre

7. Aidan Sezer - sponsored by Club Menangle

8. Stefano Utoikamanu - sponsored by ZWealth Group

9. Apisai Koroisau (c) - sponsored by ZRealty Group

10. David Klemmer - sponsored by Tidda Workforce

11. Isaiah Papali'i - sponsored by Murray Kennedy Real Estate

12. John Bateman - sponsored by The Meat Man

13. Fonua Pole - sponsored by LC Wealth

Interchange:

14. Jayden Sullivan - sponsored by Ellis Consolidated

15. Alex Seyfarth - sponsorship available

16. Alex Twal - sponsorship available

17. Samuela Fainu - sponsorship available

Reserves:

18. Asu Kepaoa - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

19. Jake Simpkin - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

20. Justin Matamua - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

21. Alex Lobb - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

22. Brent Naden - sponsored by Wests Tigers Foundation

Olam and Pole should give us a bit more grunt, whether it’s enough, we will find out?

I guess it’s a bit early to make changes, but I would be tempted to replace Tupou with Lobb (also an GK) already at this stage.

Still going us, by 4 with Sezer MoM.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

That's probably about the best team we can field. Agree about lobb. Or any other winger. Tupou isn't worth sticking with.

The sharks are specialists at demolishing bottom 8 teams. Unless we really fire up, effort and execution wise we're in all sorts

 

[Tigerm]

On twitter:
Fun Fact:

The Sharks are the only club the Wests Tigers have won more games against then lost
———————-
Not sure it’s going to mean a lot this game. haha

 

[simmo1]

On twitter:
Fun Fact:

The Sharks are the only club the Wests Tigers have won more games against then lost
———————-
Not sure it’s going to mean a lot this game. haha

We have lost 11 of the last 12 against them. I'd say that stat is probably more important.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

We have lost 11 of the last 12 against them

Soon to be 12 of 13.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Well we can only field our best side at the moment, this is probably it.

We need a proper game plan and unlike last week, we are going to need to stick to it.

I think the only way to manage a side as strong as this is to play a solid spoiling game, slow everything down.

Otherwise, stick to Api like glue.

We’ve gotta hope Olam has a day out, he’s a genuine impact player.

Galvin should be much much better for the run of last week.

 

[Nealo 12]

Nope , you guys are f**ked

 

[Wizardman]

Nope , you guys are f**ked

Im not going to even fight you.....I agree.

One defence of Benji...and it is a very thin defence....it is the best side we can pick for this round minus one selection. Little "Bud" should play NSW Cup as the games I've seen him play this season, he has not only looked not first grade standard....he has truly looked right out of his depth. Im truly not sure if there is any ability in the man but he needs to see if he has in NSW Cup. While others need to be put on notice, he is the only change I would have made from last weeks team.

Our team has next to f**k all punch from the bench with only Fainu capable of providing it. Twal and Seyfarth's roles will be trying to plug the holes in the sinking Titanic and defend through a big workload. Little Bud....Im not quite sure what impact he provides from the bench....useless.

The reason why Im not calling for more changes is the depth in a lot of positions is pretty f**king bare at the moment. May as well give most of those blokes another run.

 

[Nutz]

Fainu is good, he doesn't look like he comes from the Wests Tigers system.

 

[Nutz]

That's probably about the best team we can field. Agree about lobb. Or any other winger. Tupou isn't worth sticking with.

The sharks are specialists at demolishing bottom 8 teams. Unless we really fire up, effort and execution wise we're in all sorts

Dom de Dom Dom Dom Dom. Where have you been brother?
We've missed your wisdom.

I agree with Tupou getting the flick, he hasn't really played enough to warrant too much loyalty and he's leaving us next year.
Even with To'a out, I'd stick to Lobb and Staines, guys who want to be here and prove their worth.
Lobb is tall and competes with the high ball and Staines is improving.
Solomon Alaimalo has an injured quad and can't stretch out or jump so it's Staines and Lobb for me.