Wests Tigers v Sharks: Olam unleashed; Williams in for Nikora
The Benji Marshall era began with a loss last week and the job won’t get any easier in Round 3 as the Wests Tigers take on an in-form Sharks side who have started two from two.
While there were some positive signs – most notably the performance of five-eighth Lachlan Galvin on debut and evidence of further growth from fullback Jahream Bula – the joint venture was guilty of revisiting some of the old habits which have dogged them for the past few years in a 32-12 loss to the Raiders.
They’ll need to have that cleaned up before facing Craig Fitzgibbon’s men at Leichhardt Oval, after they punished the Bulldogs for similar shortcomings last week in an eventual 25-6 win, which was led by a standout performance from halfback Nicho Hynes.
SportsBet Betting Preview - Wests Tigers v Sharks
The Wests Tigers have a poor record against the Sharks of late and have tasted victory just once in their last 11 games against them, while Cronulla have won in each of their two most recent visits to this week’s venue.
Match: Wests Tigers v Sharks
Round 3 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
away Team
Sharks
8th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Team News
Wests Tigers: No late changes, with PNG powerhouse Justin Olam to play his first game for his new club after overcoming a knee injury. Veteran playmaker Aidan Sezer has been promoted to start the game at No.7 with Jayden Sullivan shifted to the bench. Asu Kepaoa is the 18th man.
Sharks: Jack Williams comes into the starting side for Briton Nikora, who will miss two games due to suspension, while Royce Hunt returns after missing last week's game due to a virus and joins the bench. The squad is as named on Tuesday by coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
Match: Wests Tigers v Sharks
Round 3 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie StainesWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona FaataapeCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior TupouWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan GalvinFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan SezerHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David KlemmerProp for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Jack Williams
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua PoleLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jayden SullivanInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Dale Finucane
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Royce Hunt
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex TwalInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Billy Burns
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Samuela FainuInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Asu KepaoaReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Kayal Iro
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have not been beaten at Leichhardt Oval since 2014.
- The Wests Tigers play their first game at Leichhardt since their 66-18 defeat of the Cowboys in 2023.
- Sharks winger Sione Katoa has scored five tries in two games against the Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers winger Charlie Staines has scored seven tries in three games against the Sharks.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
