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Wests Tigers v Knights: Luai takes reins; Young gun looks Sharpe
The moment of truth arrives for Wests Tigers as they look to turn all the hype and expectation into a first-up win over Kalyn Ponga and the Knights.
Superstar playmaker Jarome Luai will be champing at the bit after sitting out the Pre-Season Challenge and his combination with whiz kid Lachlan Galvin holds the key to a Wests Tigers revival in 2025 after three straight wooden spoons.
Along with skipper Api Koroisau, dynamic fullback Jahream Bula and former Rooster Terrell May, they form a 'Big Five' capable of turning the club's fortunes around and putting them back in finals contention.
Koroisau will miss the first-up assignment against the Knights due to suspension, but Tallyn Da Silva is a more than handy fill-in for the Fijian superstar.
The Knights, meanwhile, are coming off an eight-try romp over the Roosters in their final Pre-Season Challenge match and look to be on a winner with Fletcher Sharpe in the No.6 jumper.
The 20-year-old ran for 192 metres across the two trial games, using his speed and footwork to great effect to stretch the defence and create opportunities for his outside men.
With May and Fonua Pole going toe to toe with Jacob Saifiti and Leo Thompson in the middle as fierce forward battle is assured as both sides look to kick-start their 2025 campaign in style.
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 1 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
11th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Wests Tigers: Jarome Luai makes his first appearance in Tigers colours and will captain the side in the absence of Api Koroisau (suspension). Star fullback Jahream Bula is also sidelined so Heath Mason gets the job in the No.1. Another Panthers premiership winner, Sunia Turuva, makes his club debut on the wing while Terrell May, Jack Bird, Jeral Skelton and Royce Hunt all make their first NRL appearance in Tigers colours. After 70 games in Queensland Cup across seven seasons, hooker Tristan Hope is rewarded for his perseverance with an NRL debut and has been promoted from the bench to star in a late switch with Tallyn Da Silva. Latu Fainu is 18th man.
Knights: Former Raider James Schiller makes his club debut on the wing while young gun Fletcher Sharpe gets the nod in the No.6 after some impressive trial form and will partner Jack Cogger in the halves. After finishing last season at halfback Phoenix Crossland goes to hooker and Jayden Brailey to the bench. The forward pack is strong with Jacob Saifiti and Leo Thompson the props and Kai Pearce-Paul, Dylan Lucas and Tyson Frizell forming a dynamic back row. Veterans Jackson Hastings and Adam Elliott were named among the reserves but won't feature in any grade this weekend. Coach Adam O'Brien revealed on Thursday that Hastings had been hospitalised with a leg infection and Elliott was still another week away. Thomas Cant is 18th man.
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 1 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Heath MasonFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Knights is number 2 James Schiller
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam DoueihiCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Solomona FaataapeCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral SkeltonWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan GalvinFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jarome LuaiHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jack Cogger
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell MayProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tristan HopeHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua PoleProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Alex Seyfarth2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Knights is number 13 Tyson Frizell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 9 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Royce HuntInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jack Hetherington
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jack BirdInterchange for Knights is number 16 Brodie Jones
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Sione FainuInterchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Latu FainuReplacement for Knights is number 18 Thomas Cant
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers have not won an opening round game since 2020.
- The Knights have won their past six games against Wests Tigers.
- Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe scored four tries in his only game against the Tigers in 2024.
- Wests Tigers lock Jack Bird has scored six tries in eight games against the Knights.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
