The Wests Tigers are eager to keep their slim finals hopes alive when they host the Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.
Benji Marshall's men have produced a late-season surge to win three of their last four and rocket into the top-eight picture.
The Tigers currently sit 11th, four points behind eighth-placed Roosters with three games to play.
As such, Sunday's clash is a must-win contest against a Cowboys side eager to lay the foundation for next year's season-opening date with the Knights in Las Vegas.
North Queensland secured a comprehensive victory over Newcastle last week and the return of a host of stars will set the stage for a physical battle with the Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 25 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
11th Position
away Team
Cowboys
13th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Team News
Wests Tigers: No changes for Benji Marshall as he sticks with a winning formula. Centre Starford To'a has been named to play despite coming off early last Sunday with a shoulder issue.
Cowboys: Todd Payten sticks with the same 17 that got the job done against the Knights last week. Kai O'Donnell is again listed as 18th man while Marly Bitungane, Nicholas Lenaz and Kaiden Lahrs are among the reserves.
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 25 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Semi Valemei
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Taylan MayCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 19 Brent NadenCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral SkeltonWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon Burns
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam DoueihiHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell MayProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua PoleProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Sione Fainu2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu FainuInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Karl Lawton
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Royce HuntInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Charlie MurrayInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Zac Laybutt
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Tony SukkarInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Thomas Mikaele
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Heath MasonReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Kai O'Donnell
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Tigers have won nine of their last 11 games against the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval.
- The Cowboys have won six of their last seven games against the Tigers.
- Tigers winger Jeral Skelton has scored six tries in his last four games.
- Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored eight tries in seven games against Wests Tigers.
- Tigers five-eighth Jarome Luai will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
