NRL TEAMS: Toothless Wests Tigers make plenty more changes as Api Koroisau moved to halves to replace Lachlan Galvin

Jasper Bruce
AAP
Desperate for another victory, Wests Tigers have shifted captain Api Koroisau into the halves. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
Desperate for another victory, Wests Tigers have shifted captain Api Koroisau into the halves. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

The increasingly desperate Wests Tigers have shifted captain Api Koroisau to the halves and rested reportedly disgruntled rookie Lachlan Galvin amid a hand injury.

The last-placed Tigers have confirmed a week of upheaval at the selection table as they look to snap a losing streak that stretched to nine games with Friday’s 56-14 thrashing from St George Illawarra.

Aidan Sezer is back from suspension to partner usual hooker Koroisau in the halves this Saturday, with Solomona Faataape joining the 17 in place of Solomon Alaimalo (head knock).

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Tallyn Da Silva has been named to play hooker as Koroisau lines up at halfback.

As coach Benji Marshall indicated last week, off-contract five-eighth Adam Doueihi has been included in the reserves on recovery from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered early last season.

Teen sensation Galvin has been rested even as fellow halves option Jayden Sullivan (finger injury) joins the club’s long list of unavailable players.

Galvin has been contending with a hand injury in recent weeks as uncertainty around his future mounts. The 18-year-old’s management reportedly spoke to club powerbrokers last week about their concerns with the direction of the team.

Centre Justin Olam has been named despite contending with a long-standing knee injury,

Penrith’s Dylan Edwards is set to have one game to reassert his State of Origin credentials after shaking off the quad issue that forced him out of NSW camp for game one.

Possible NSW teammate Liam Martin could make a late charge into the Panthers side to face Newcastle after being named in the reserves on return from a minor foot injury.

Bradman Best is back from a hamstring injury just in time to feature in the NSW selection conversation for Origin II.

The Newcastle centre was superb on debut in game three last year, and after missing game one last week he could be a handy replacement for the suspended Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

The prognosis is similarly positive for incumbent Blues forward Haumole Olakau’atu, named for Manly’s clash with St George Illawarra despite hurting his calf in round 14.

The Sydney Roosters have dropped hooker Brandon Smith after he received a breach notice for missing a team meeting during the bye week. Connor Watson replaces him on return from a throat injury.

Rested from Cronulla’s round-14 win after playing State of Origin, Nicho Hynes dislodges Daniel Atkinson from the Sharks’ halves and will partner Braydon Trindall against the Dolphins on Thursday.

South Sydney captain and Blues stalwart Cam Murray is back from a hip injury to face Brisbane on Saturday, pushing Siliva Havili out of Ben Hornby’s side.

Shaun Johnson’s return from a pectoral injury is set to provide extra strike power for a resurgent Warriors side facing Melbourne in Auckland this weekend.

Injury-plagued fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is still at least another week away from returning from his ankle issue, omitted from Melbourne’s extended squad entirely.

Comments

Latest Edition

The Nightly cover for 22-11-2024

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 22 November 202422 November 2024

How a Laos party town became the fatal final destination for at least five tourists in a mass methanol poisoning.