NRL.com previews Round 1 Wests Tigers clash
Wests Tigers will begin their premiership campaign with confidence after star signings Jackson Hastings, Oliver Gildart and Tyrone Peachey all made an impact in their trial win against Sydney Roosters.
However, the Storm will provide a tougher assessment for Michael Maguire's men - even if the visitors are missing suspended stars Cameron Munster and Harry Grant.
Melbourne have lost Josh Addo-Carr, Dale Finucane, Nicho Hynes to Cronulla during the off-season but are still able to field a strong line-up, which includes new recruits Xavier Coates, Nick Meaney and Josh King.
The decision to allow Brandon Smith to serve his one-match suspension in All Stars is a huge boost for Craig Bellamy's team.
The Storm lost 30-18 to the Warriors and beat the Knight 24-10 in their pre-season trials, while the Tigers suffered a 28-14 defeat by Manly before coming from behind to down the Roosters 16-8.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Wests Tigers v Storm
The Rundown
Team news
Wests Tigers: No changes in the updated squad released 24 hours before kick-off.
Jackson Hastings, Oliver Gildart and Tyrone Peachey have been named to play their first game for the club. Hastings will play five-eighth alongside Luke Brooks while Gildart is in the centres and Peachey on the interchange.
Jake Simpkin starts at hooker with Jacob Liddle sidelined by a knee injury while Alex Twal starts for co-captain James Tamou, who returns from suspension in round two.
Luke Garner has recovered from an ankle injury to take his place on the bench.
Storm: Co-captain Jesse Bromwich is out after being deemed a close contact of a COVID-19 case and his place in the starting side is taken by Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Dean Ieremia and Tepai Moeroa are the new faces on the interchange and Jayden Nikorima dropped out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off.
A huge boost for the Storm with star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (ankle) named to play while the man who filled the No.1 jersey in the trials, Nick Meaney, has been named at five-eighth.
Brandon Smith will start at hooker with Harry Grant suspended. Impressive rookie Tyran Wishart has won a spot on the bench.
Former Knight Josh King starts at lock and former Bronco Xavier Coates is on the wing.
Match: Wests Tigers v Storm
Round 1 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Storm is number 2 George Jennings
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 James RobertsCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Oliver GildartCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken MaumaloWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jackson HastingsFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Nick Meaney
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke BrooksHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Alex TwalProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake SimpkinHooker for Storm is number 9 Brandon Smith
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Storm is number 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe OfahengaueLock for Storm is number 13 Josh King
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tyrone PeacheyInterchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Luke GarnerInterchange for Storm is number 16 Trent Loiero
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Zane MusgroveInterchange for Storm is number 19 Alec MacDonald
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Storm is number 25 Tepai Moeroa
Reserves
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Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Thomas MikaeleReplacement for Storm is number 22 Bronson Garlick
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Luke Brooks v Jahrome Hughes: With star five-eighths Adam Doueihi (knee) and Cameron Munster (suspended) missing, it will be up to the rival halfbacks to take control for their respective teams in the season opener. Brooks will be ably assisted by new recruit Jackson Hastings but the player named in the Storm No.6 jersey, Nick Meaney, has played all of his previous 65 NRL matches for Newcastle and Canterbury at wing or fullback.
Stat Attack
Wests Tigers have a habit of starting the season well and they will be looking to maintain that record against a Storm side missing Cameron Munster and Harry Grant. The Tigers lost to Canberra in last year's opening round but had won their first match of the season on the previous six occasions. The Storm have not lost to the Tigers since 2018.
