Wests Tigers head coach Jason Taylor has sprung a couple of selection surprises in naming his side for the opening match of the 2017 season against the South Sydney Rabbitohs this Friday, March 3 at ANZ Stadium.
New recruits Jamal Idris and Matt McIlwrick have both been named to start in their first NRL match for Wests Tigers.
Idris is only a minor surprise, but when it comes to the man who will wear the number 9 jumper on Friday night, most fans will be asking Matt who?
The Tigers are the fourth NRL club McIlwrick has played for after 19 games in three years at the Raiders, eight gigs at the Roosters and two with last year’s premiers, the Sharks.
The 25 year old hooker was born in Christchurch, New Zealand and made his NRL first grade debut in 2012.
It will be a bit of a baptism of fire for McIlwrick in Tigers colours as he will be up against the man who owned the number 9 jersey for more than 10 years, Robbie Farah.
A fired up Robbie Farah, no doubt.
But a good performance by McIlwrick will put him in good stead selection wise when Matt Ballin is back for first grade.
Speaking of selections, sharp and alert readers will have noticed that Taylor has named a squad of 21 players for the game.
Under new arrangements, the club has to trim the team to 19 players 24 hours before the game, and finally name the 17 to play an hour before kick off.
Skipper Aaron Woods has been named up front alongside Ava Seumanufagai in what is a strong forward pack that also includes representative players Sauaso Sue, Chris Lawrence and Elijah Taylor.
The eight-man bench includes experienced forwards Tim Grant and Joel Edwards – while Josh Aloiai and Michael Chee Kam have also earned a place in the side.
Youngsters JJ Felise and Moses Suli have also been named in the 21-man NRL squad.
In other grades, the club’s Intrust Super Premiership side will take on Wyong this Saturday, with a number of full-time squad members named in David Heath’s side.
Matt Ballin is set to return though the Intrust Super Premiership after missing the club’s two trial matches in his recovery from a knee reconstruction.
In Holden Cup, hooker Daniel Peck captains a relatively young side that features a host of new players to the Club for the 2017 season.
Wests Tigers NRL – Round 1 v South Sydney:
1. James Tedesco
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Kevin Naiqama
4. Jamal Idris
5. Jordan Rankin
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods (C)
9. Matt McIlwrick
10. Ava Seumanufagai
11. Sauaso Sue
12. Chris Lawrence
13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange:
14. Tim Grant
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Michael Chee Kam
17. Joel Edwards
18. Jack Littlejohn
19. Justin Hunt
20. JJ Felise
21. Moses Suli
Wests Tigers Intrust Super Premiership NSW v Wyong:
1. Watson Heleta
2. Moses Suli
3. Tony Tali
4. Nathan Milone (C)
5. Christian Yassmin
6. Jack Littlejohn
7. Justin Hunt
8. Jordan Grant
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. JJ Felise
11. Esan Marsters
12. Bayley Sironen
13. Darcy Cox
Interchange:
14. Matt Ballin
15. Wesley Lolo
16. Junior Tatola
17. Veiru Mapesone
18. Jackson Williams
