Wests Tigers v Cowboys: Olam, Klemmer return; Luki good to go
The Tigers find themselves in a struggle to avoid a third wooden spoon on the trot and life doesn't get any easier this Thursday when the potent Cowboys outfit arrives at Leichhardt Oval.
Todd Payten's men climbed from eighth to sixth on the back of their win over the Sharks, making it four victories from their past five outings in the process.
A cheekbone injury to Jason Taumalolo and head knock to Reuben Cotter took some of the gloss off the win but the return of Heilum Luki from a hamstring injury will help soften the blow.
The Tigers meanwhile continue to blood young talent as they look to finish the season on a positive note and take some momentum into the 2025 season when the arrival of Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva from Penrith brings renewed hope.
The past three clashes between these sides have produced a total of 228 points so there's every chance the attendant in the famous old Leichhardt Oval scoreboard could be in for a busy night.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Team News
Wests Tigers: The Tigers will unveil their 11th debutant of the season with 22-year-old prop Tim Johannssen coming into the squad on Wednesday in place of Sione Fainu. Centre Justin Olam returns from a knee injury to fill the void left by Starford To'a (hamstring) while winger Luke Laulilii (concussion protocols) is replaced by Solomon Alaimalo. Veteran prop David Klemmer is back from an ankle injury with Fonua Pole sidelined by a rib injury. Adam Doueihi remains sidelined after the club chose to rest him last week.
Cowboys: Griffin Neame takes over at prop from Jason Taumalolo (cheekbone) in a late swap with Sam McIntyre, while Harrison Edwards fills the void left by Reuben Cotter (head knock). Heilum Luki's return from a hamstring injury pushes Kulikefu Finefeuiaki to the bench where he is joined by Thomas Mikaele, Jake Granville and McIntyre. No changes in Wednesday's 24-hour update with Jaxon Purdue and Jamal Shibasaki remaining in the squad.
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 22 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Solomon AlaimaloWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona FaataapeCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie StainesWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan GalvinFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Latu FainuHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David KlemmerProp for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Reuben Porter2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'iLock for Cowboys is number 14 Harrison Edwards
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Cowboys is number 10 Sam McIntyre
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Cowboys is number 13 Thomas Mikaele
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex TwalInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Jake Granville
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 22 Tim JohannssenInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Heath MasonReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Jaxon Purdue
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers have won three of their past four games at Leichhardt Oval.
- The Cowboys have won only one of their past 10 games at Leichhardt.
- Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored four tries in his past four games at Leichhardt.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored seven tries in his past five games.
- Wests Tigers have lost their last seven Thursday night games.
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 22 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
away Team
Cowboys
5th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
