Tigers v Cowboys preview: Raudonikis to be honoured
Wests Tigers will honour the late Tommy Raudonikis by retiring the number seven jersey across all four grades this Sunday at Leichhardt Oval.
At Leichhardt Oval, the respective halfbacks of each side will wear a different playing number on the day. Luke Brooks will wear No.22 in first grade.
Each halfback will lead out the respective team on the day, with the number seven jersey from each grade to be placed on the first chair of the club’s bench.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten won't be expecting any favours from the Wests Tigers despite playing more than 150 NRL games for them and scoring a try in their 2005 premiership win.
But good fortune – maybe a little sympathy – is exactly what Payten needs at Leichhardt Oval as he tries to lift his players to a win.
The Cowboys have conceded 141 points in their four losses making them the second-worst defensive side in the NRL behind the Sea Eagles.
Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 5 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
13th Position
away Team
Cowboys
14th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Wests Tigers: Joey Leilua has been recalled to the side in the centres in jersey No.19 in a late change with Moses Mbye dropping back to the bench.
Joe Ofahengaue will also start in the back row for the first time since joining Wests Tigers, with Luke Garner reverting back to the bench.
Michael Chee Kam returns to the reserves and is the 18th man.
Asu Kepaoa has been left out and Tommy Talau shifts out one spot to the wing.
Jake Simpkin and Tukimihia Simpkins dropped off the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off. Alex Seyfarth was cut an hour before kick-off.
Wests Tigers have won their past four games against the Cowboys.
Cowboys: Coen Hess comes into the starting side in a late reshuffle with Reuben Cotter going to the bench alongside Jake Granville, Corey Jensen and Lachlan Burr. The 18th man is Jake Clifford.
Jason Taumalolo (hand) and Josh McGuire (illness) were ruled out on Saturday. Esan Marsters also dropped out of the playing squad on Saturday and Peter Hola was the last man omitted an hour before game time.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will switch from the wing to centre due to Justin O'Neill being out after suffering a head knock last weekend. Kyle Feldt will return from suspension on the wing.
The Cowboys have not won at Leichhardt Oval since 2000.
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 5 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Valentine Holmes
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 James RobertsCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 19 Joseph LeiluaCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Connelly Lemuelu
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tommy TalauWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam DoueihiFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott Drinkwater
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 22 Luke BrooksHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Ben Hampton
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Zane MusgroveProp for Cowboys is number 8 Francis Molo
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 James TamouProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Shane Wright
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 17 Joe Ofahengaue2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Ben Condon
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Cowboys is number 15 Coen Hess
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 4 Moses MbyeInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke GarnerInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Lachlan Burr
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 Reuben Cotter
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Stefano UtoikamanuInterchange for Cowboys is number 20 Corey Jensen
Reserves
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 14 Michael Chee KamReserve for Cowboys is number 21 Jake Clifford
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Key match-up
Wests Tigers skipper James Tamou faces the club that made him a rep star and finds himself up against a player trying to resurrect his rep career in Jordan McLean. The Young Cherry Pickers junior played eight Tests to Australia in 2017-18 and would like to return to that arena once more. The go-forward these two lanky props can generate will be vital to success.
Stat Attack
The Wests Tigers are in the NRL's top-three for set completions making them a side showing solid execution under coach Michael Maguire's tutelage.
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