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Raiders v Wests Tigers: Kris back on deck; Galvin gets his shot

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The Wests Tigers will be raring to go after a Round 1 bye but face a tough test against a Raiders team buoyed by a big first-up win over the Knights.

After picking up their second straight wooden spoon, the Wests Tigers must get away to a good start to keep loyal fans hopeful that 2024 will bring some much-needed success. 

Rookie coach Benji Marshall will blood a host of new recruits with Jayden Sullivan and Aidan Sezer tipped to be handed first crack in the halves and star signing Justin Olam set to don new colours for the first time in his career.

Meanwhile, after downing the Knights 28-12 in arguably the biggest upset of Round 1, Ricky Stuart's side will fancy their chances against the wooden spooners as they open the gates on GIO Stadium for 2024.

Fogarty's composure and control with the boot was a standout for his side last week and the Wests Tigers will be sure to do their homework after the vice-captain scored two tries from pinpoint kicks aimed at the goalposts in their last meeting in 2023.

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Team News

Raiders: No late changes for coach Ricky Stuart, with the return of Seb Kris from suspension seeing him come in at centre and Albert Hopoate push out to the wing, with Nick Cotric dropping to 18th man. Hooker Danny Levi will play despite hurting his quad in Round 1 in Newcastle.

Wests Tigers: The side remains 1-17 for Benji Marshall's first official game as a NRL head coach. Teenager Lachlan Galvin makes his NRL debut in the halves alongside former Dragon Jayden Sullivan with Aidan Sezer on the bench. Also making his NRL debut is Brisbane Tigers 2023 grand final hero Solomona Faataape, who fills the hole left by Justin Olam (knee).

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan Rapana
    Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert Hopoate
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Solomona Faataape
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
    Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
    Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jayden Sullivan

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi
    Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
  • Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies
    Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Seyfarth

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Aidan Sezer
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Fonua Pole
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Pasami Saulo
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Samuela Fainu

Reserves

  • Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Nick Cotric
    Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Asu Kepaoa

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack 

  • The Raiders have won their past seven games against Wests Tigers.
  • Wests Tigers have won only one of their past six games at GIO Stadium.
  • Raiders fullback Jordan Rapana has scored 15 tries in 13 games v Wests Tigers.
  • As a player, Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall won 11 from 12 at GIO Stadium.
  • The Raiders have not achieved back-to-back wins since Round 19 last year.
  • Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has the chance to become only the seventh coach to notch 250 first-grade victories.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.