Round 1 of the Telstra Premiership for the Wests Tigers is a tough clash against the Bulldogs at the Sydney Showground.

The Tigers have passed fit for the match Terry Hill and Willie Manu. Young Ben Jeffries has beaten Lincoln Withers to the halfback role, with utility John Wilson starting at five-eighth.

Squads:

Tigers: Joel Caine, Hassan Saleh, Kevin McGuinness, Terry Hill, Ahmad Bajouri, John Wilson, Ben Jeffries, Corey Pearson, Robert Mears, John Skandalis, Mark O'Neill, Darren Senter, Ben Galea. Reserves: Willie Manu, Troy Wozniak, Chris Patterson, Steve Trindall

Bulldogs: Luke Patten, Hazem El Masri, Nigel Vagana, Willie Talau, Gavin Lester, Braith Anasta, Darrell Trindall, Paul Rauhihi, Corey Hughes, Steve Price, Darren Smith, Steve Reardon, Travis Norton. Reserves: Brent Sherwin, Dennis Scott, Willie Mason, Jamie Feeney.

The Tigers halves are a new combination which may struggle against an establishes halves combo of Anasta and Trindall. Our forward pack looks very solid, and with a full bench of forwards the Tigers should not struggle in this area. If the forwards can get up early watch for Kevin McGuinness to weave his magic out in the backline.

We will be looking for our first victory for the 2002 season after losing all of our three trial games. Now the games do matter, and the Tigers would love to get off to a good start with a victory away from home.

The Bulldogs have a statisitical advantage over the Tigers with a 4/0 win-loss record over them. It is time for the Tigers to break this duck!

My Tip: The Bulldogs to win in last quarter. Bulldogs by 12

 

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