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Match Preview

Wests Tigers v Eels: Sukkar to debut; Lane shifts to bench

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To the winner goes the spoils, to the loser goes the spoon.

That's the script for Friday night's intriguing 'spoon bowl' showdown between Wests Tigers and Parramatta at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

SportsBet Betting Preview - Wests Tigers v Eels

For Benji Marshall's men the spectre of a third consecutive wooden spoon looms large, despite the fact they have banked four competition points in the past fortnight courtesy of a win over Manly and a bye.

The Eels have enjoyed a decent month wins over the Warriors in Round 22 and Dragons in Round 26, as well as pushing Penrith to the limit in a two-point loss in Round 23.

A full stadium at Campbelltown will be a boost to the Tigers as they look to carry the momentum of their upset win over the Sea Eagles into their final match.

The Eels also have momentum on their side after a wild 44-40 win over the Dragons, a match in which they produced some sparkling attack before conceding five tries in 10 minutes in a bizarre end to the game.

The Eels have not finished last since 2018, which was the 13th spoon in club history, while Wests Tigers joined the competition in 2000 and had never collected the unwanted gong until 2022.

Team News

Wests Tigers: Latu Fainu has been elevated from the bench to halfback replacing Aidan Sezer who has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury he suffered against Manly ahead of the bye. Balmain junior Tony Sukkar has been added to the bench for his NRL debut. Josh Feledy comes into the centres for his second game of the season, so Junior Tupou goes to the wing and Solomon Alaimalo is out under the concussion protocols. Alex Lobb is 18th man.

Eels: Ofahiki Ogden will start at prop in a late swap with Shaun Lane, who shifts to the bench. Kelma Tuilagi is back in the side after being a late withdrawal last week. Sean Russell returns on the wing after missing last week's game due to illness. Jake Tago is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Heath Mason
    Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Junior Tupou
    Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape
    Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Josh Feledy
    Centre for Eels is number 4 Blaize Talagi
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
    Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
  • Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
    Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
  • Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu
    Halfback for Eels is number 7 Daejarn Asi

Forwards

  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
    Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan  Campbell-Gillard
  • Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
    Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
    Prop for Eels is number 17 Ofahiki Ogden
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Alex Seyfarth
    2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu
    2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright  
  • Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'i
    Lock for Eels is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue  

Interchange

  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
    Interchange for Eels is number 10 Shaun Lane
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Fonua Pole
    Interchange for Eels is number 14 Joey Lussick
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Twal
    Interchange for Eels is number 15 Makahesi Makatoa
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 22 Tony Sukkar
    Interchange for Eels is number 16 Luca Moretti

Reserves

  • Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Alex Lobb
    Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake Tago

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Wests Tigers have scored 66 points in consecutive wins at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
  • The Eels have won nine of their past 11 games against Wests Tigers.
  • Wests Tigers are aiming for two wins in a season against the Eels for the first time since 2012.
  • Eels winger Maika Sivo has scored 19 tries in his past 12 NRL games.
  • The Tigers are aiming for three successive wins for the first time since 2018.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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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.