NRL 2021: Wests Tigers, North Queensland Cowboys, round 5 preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 11 Apr 2021, 03:15 PM

Wests Tigers will honour the late Tommy Raudonikis by retiring the number seven jersey across all four grades this Sunday at Leichhardt Oval.

At Leichhardt Oval, the respective halfbacks of each side will wear a different playing number on the day. Luke Brooks will wear No.22 in first grade.

Each halfback will lead out the respective team on the day, with the number seven jersey from each grade to be placed on the first chair of the club’s bench.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten won't be expecting any favours from the Wests Tigers despite playing more than 150 NRL games for them and scoring a try in their 2005 premiership win.

But good fortune – maybe a little sympathy – is exactly what Payten needs at Leichhardt Oval as he tries to lift his players to a win.

The Cowboys have conceded 141 points in their four losses making them the second-worst defensive side in the NRL behind the Sea Eagles.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Sunday 11 Apr

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Cowboys

Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Highlights Latest

The rundown

Team news

Wests Tigers: Joey Leilua has been recalled to the side in the centres in jersey No.19 in a late change with Moses Mbye dropping back to the bench.

Joe Ofahengaue will also start in the back row for the first time since joining Wests Tigers, with Luke Garner reverting back to the bench.

Michael Chee Kam returns to the reserves and is the 18th man.

Asu Kepaoa has been left out and Tommy Talau shifts out one spot to the wing.

Jake Simpkin and Tukimihia Simpkins dropped off the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off. Alex Seyfarth was cut an hour before kick-off.

Wests Tigers have won their past four games against the Cowboys.

Cowboys: Coen Hess comes into the starting side in a late reshuffle with Reuben Cotter going to the bench alongside Jake Granville, Corey Jensen and Lachlan Burr. The 18th man is Jake Clifford.

Jason Taumalolo (hand) and Josh McGuire (illness) were ruled out on Saturday. Esan Marsters also dropped out of the playing squad on Saturday and Peter Hola was the last man omitted an hour before game time.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will switch from the wing to centre due to Justin O'Neill being out after suffering a head knock last weekend. Kyle Feldt will return from suspension on the wing.

The Cowboys have not won at Leichhardt Oval since 2000.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Sunday 11 Apr

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Valentine Holmes
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 James Roberts

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 19 Joseph Leilua

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Connelly Lemuelu
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tommy Talau

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott Drinkwater
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 22 Luke Brooks

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Ben Hampton

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Zane Musgrove

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Francis Molo
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob Liddle

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 James Tamou

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Shane Wright
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 17 Joe Ofahengaue

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Ben Condon
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Lock for Cowboys is number 15 Coen Hess

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 4 Moses Mbye

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Lachlan Burr
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas Mikaele

Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Reuben Cotter
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Stefano Utoikamanu

Interchange for Cowboys is number 20 Corey Jensen

Reserves

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 14 Michael Chee Kam

Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Jake Clifford

Match Officials

Referee: Matt Cecchin
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated: 5/29/2023 4:41:06 AM

Key match-up

Wests Tigers skipper James Tamou faces the club that made him a rep star and finds himself up against a player trying to resurrect his rep career in Jordan McLean. The Young Cherry Pickers junior played eight Tests to Australia in 2017-18 and would like to return to that arena once more. The go-forward these two lanky props can generate will be vital to success.