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Wests Tigers v Titans: Twal, Lobb sidelined; Fifita late out

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The Wests Tigers are hoping for a happy homecoming to Leichhardt Oval as they look to snap a nine-game losing streak in Saturday's clash with the Titans. 

Benji Marshall's side claimed a dominant 32-6 victory over the Sharks in Round 3 in their most recent match at the inner-west venue. 

The Wests Tigers followed up that win with a golden-point triumph over the Eels however it's been a lean run since then, the team dropping nine on the trot, including a 56-14 loss to the Dragons last Friday night. 

Experienced half Aidan Sezer is set to return, having served a four-match suspension for a dangerous tackle.

The veteran's inclusion is crucial amid a torrid injury and suspension toll, with young halves Lachlan Galvin and Jayden Sullivan set to miss Saturday's clash.

Gold Coast looked to be showing signs of improvement throughout the past month, however they endured a tough outing last Saturday. 

The Titans fell 46-12 to the Rabbitohs in a disappointing result in front of their home fans at Cbus Super Stadium.

Team News

Wests Tigers: Reuben Porter will start the game at prop, Fonua Pole moves to second row and Alex Seyfarth goes to the bench in a game day shuffle. Alex Twal and Alex Lobb were both omitted from the side after suffering head knocks at training on Wednesday, opening the door for Heath Mason and Jordan Miller to make their NRL debuts off the bench. Solomona Faataape moves from the bench into the centres and Brent Naden slides to the wing to replace Lobb. Star playmaker Adam Doueihi dropped out of the squad when it was trimmed on Friday, making his return a knee reconstruction in the NSW Cup game against the Warriors. A new halves pairing for Benji Marshall with Aidan Sezer back from a four-game suspension at five-eighth and Api Koroisau handed the No.7 jersey with Lachlan Galvin and Jayden Sullivan both sidelined by hand injuries.

Titans: No further changes on game day after David Fifita was ruled out due to an ankle injury on Friday. He is expected to miss just the one match. Erin Clark joins the starting side and Jacob Alick has been added to the bench. Phil Sami's return from a hamstring injury in the centres allows Beau Fermor to return to the back row and Keenan Palasia goes back to the interchange.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 21 Jahream Bula
    Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 3 Brent Naden
    Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 17 Solomona Faataape
    Centre for Titans is number 4 Phillip Sami
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
    Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo Fifita
  • Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Aidan Sezer
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden Campbell
  • Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Apisai Koroisau
    Halfback for Titans is number 7 Kieran Foran

Forwards

  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
    Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
  • Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Tallyn Da Silva
    Hooker for Titans is number 9 Chris Randall
  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 16 Reuben Porter
    Prop for Titans is number 10 Josiah Pahulu
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Fonua Pole
    2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu
    2nd Row for Titans is number 13 Klese Haas
  • Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Justin Matamua
    Lock for Titans is number 17 Erin Clark

Interchange

  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Alex Seyfarth
    Interchange for Titans is number 14 Sam Verrills
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
    Interchange for Titans is number 15 Isaac Liu
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 20 Heath Mason
    Interchange for Titans is number 16 Keenan Palasia
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 22 Jordan Miller
    Interchange for Titans is number 20 Jacob Alick-Wiencke 

Reserves

  • Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Kit Laulilii
    Replacement for Titans is number 19 Tanah Boyd

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Todd Smith

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Wests Tigers have not defeated the Titans at Leichhardt Oval since 2008.
  • The Titans have won their past five games against the Tigers.
  • The Tigers have conceded 98 points in their past two games.
  • Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored nine tries in his past six games.
  • Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored three tries in two games at Leichhardt Oval.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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