Round 4 @ NZ Warriors - Team Analysis

Wests Tigers this afternoon named an near unchanged line up for their Round 4 trip across the Tasman where they'll face the NZ Warriors on Saturday afternoon. In the only change to the squad, second rower Liam Fulton again misses out due to concussion, replaced by Cory Paterson.

Centre Tim Simona has been named despite some concussion symptons and along with Fulton, would need to pass a series of tests before being cleared for action in Round 4. Fellow centre Chris Lawrence was not named in the initial squad but coach Mick Potter has hinted Lawrence will have a chance to take the field should he prove his fitness. Potter says the he'll make a call on the squad tomorrow, 

"Chris Lawrence is trying to get back from his hamstring strain, we’ve got a couple of players that need to see our doctor and will be doing that today,” Potter said. “We will finalise it tomorrow, we are waiting for an update on Tim Simona and Liam Fulton.”  - Mick Potter


Either way, Wests Tigers will take a squad full of confidence across to Auckland after Friday's impressive defeat of South Sydney. The forward pack will need to show the same resolve shown versus Souths, with the Warriors pack strong and robust at all ties. Coach Potter is expecting a tough and absorbing encounter versus the Warriors, saying;

“I’m expecting a tough hard battle that will be probably one of our most physical games that we will play,” Potter said.

“They’ve got some really big forwards and speed on the edges with Sam Tomkins at fullback, who I rate as an excellent player.

“If they get in a mode where they are offloading the ball, they are going to be near unstoppable.


“We will have to be on our game and we won’t be able to rest on any of our laurels over the past two games because that doesn’t count for anything this week.” - Mick Potter

WESTS TIGERS TEAM V NZ WARRIORS

1 James Tedesco, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Keith Lulia, 4 Tim Simona, 5 Pat Richards, 6 Braith Anasta, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Aaron Woods, 9 Robbie Farah, 10 Keith Galloway, 18 Cory Paterson, 12 Bodene Thompson, 13 Adam Blair - Reserves: 14 Martin Taupau, 15 Ava Seumanufagai, 16 Sauaso Sue, 17 James Gavet