NRL 2023, Wests Tigers, Melbourne Storm, round 16 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 17 Jun 2023, 06:35 PM

Wests Tigers have shown significant improvement during the past six weeks but still find themselves equal last on the ladder with the Dragons and staring at a 12th consecutive season out of the finals.

The Tigers' loss to the Titans was compounded by injuries to stars Api Koroisau and Luke Brooks, robbing them of much of their strike power for at least their next four games against the Storm, Cowboys, Sharks and Knights.

The Storm are coming off a huge win over the Sharks but find themselves in the middle of the testing Origin period when their dynamic duo Cameron Munster and Harry Grant are in camp with Queensland, leaving Kiwi halfback Jahrome Hughes to call the shots and rally the troops.

Should the Storm be able to get the job done in Tigertown this week they will set their sights on big games against Manly and Penrith with Munster, Grant and winger Xavier Coates back on deck before a bye in Round 19.

The Storm have won eight of their past 10 clashes against the Tigers, including a 24-12 victory at AAMI Park in Round 4 when 10 of Melbourne's starting 13 ran for more than 100 metres.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Wests Tigers v Storm

Team News

Wests Tigers: No changes on game day for the home side. The loss of halfback Luke Brooks (hamstring) sees Brandon Wakeham shifting to No.7, Starford To'a named at five-eighth and Brent Naden returning in the centres alongside Asu Kepaoa. With Api Koroisau (jaw) also out, Jake Simpkin takes over at hooker and teenager Tallyn Da Silva joins the bench for his NRL debut. The 18-year-old hooker was a member of Wests Magpies premiership-winning Harold Matthews Cup team last year, and has played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup in 2023. Stefano Utoikamanu's Blues call-up sees Fonua Pole move into the starting side at prop. Alex Seyfarth has been added to the bench.

Storm: Several game day changes with Thomas Eisenhuth to start at prop and Nelson Asofa-Solomona shift to second row in place of Tariq Sims who moved to the bench. Reimis Smith (hamstring) has been named in the centres while Justin Olam (head knock) is again being rested. Back-rower Eliesa Katoa (eye) is out while George Jennings comes in on the wing for his first NRL game since Round 1, 2022 and Jonah Pezet is the new five-eighth. Bronson Garlick takes over at hooker and Aaron Pene has been added to the bench. A change on Friday saw Kane Bradley joining the bench and Alec MacDonald dropping out.

Round 16 - Round 16 - Saturday 17 Jun

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma

Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Brent Naden

Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa

Centre for Storm is number 4 Marion Seve
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou

Winger for Storm is number 5 George Jennings
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Starford To'a

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Jonah Pezet
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Brandon Wakeham

Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Fonua Pole

Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake Simpkin

Hooker for Storm is number 9 Bronson Garlick
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer

Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shawn Blore

2nd Row for Storm is number 15 Tom Eisenhuth
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 John Bateman

Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh King

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva

Interchange for Storm is number 12 Tariq Sims
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tommy Talau

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal

Interchange for Storm is number 17 Aaron Pene
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth

Interchange for Storm is number 22 Kane Bradley

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Will Smith

Replacement for Storm is number 21 Chris Lewis

Match Officials

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Darian Furner
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:46 AM

Stat Attack

The Tigers' tally of 166 offloads is second only to the Eels (180).
Storm fullback Nick Meaney has scored six tries in his past six games against Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers have lost their past seven games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
The Storm have won their past five games against Wests Tigers.
Tigers five-eighth Brandon Wakeham has landed his last 13 attempts at goal.
Storm fullback Nick Meaney requires 10 points to reach 500 career points.
Tigers winger David Nofoaluma has scored 17 tries in 25 games at Campbelltown Stadium