The Tigers this week will line up with a squad well short on key players in key positions with Braith Anasta's unavailability condemning the side to a third player unavailable from the clubs spine, he joins James Tedesco (1) and Robbie Farah (9) on the sidelines, leaving only rookie halfback Luke Brooks available. That itself will be a key test for the Tigers this week. In Anasta's place comes Blake Austin who so far has impressed with each outing for Wests and his presence will be key on Friday night as he teams with Brooks against NSW Origin duo James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce.
In other changes to the squad for Friday night, Keith Lulia comes back into the starting line up in place of the suspended Tim Simona (serving the final of a two match ban). Second rower Cory Paterson also returns on the bench for the Tigers, filling the hole provided by Blake Austin's promotion to the starting side.
Friday night's test shapes as a daunting one for the undermanned Tigers who face a Roosters side close to full strength. 10 of the starting 13 represented various rep sides last weekend, with only former Australia and NSW fullback Anthony Minichello, dual international Sonny Bill Williams and Jake Friend not doing so. Those three themselves are class players.
Some will suggest the Tigers will hope to simply keep it respectable this week but the Tigers will need their young guns to find a level this week if they're stand a chance.
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