Tiger cubs ... Wests Tigers will field one of the most inexperienced sides in NRL history. Source:The Daily Telegraph
Wests Tigers will on Friday field one of the most inexperienced teams in rugby league's 105-year history with nearly half their squad having played less than 10 NRL matches.
It can be revealed that eight of the 17 players have contested a total of just 49 games.
They are: Jacob Miller (nine games), Marika Koroibete (nine games), Curtis Sironen (eight games), Jack Buchanan (seven games), Tim Simona (seven games), James Tedesco (five games), Shaun Spence (two games) and Sauaso Sue (two games). Tigers' 18th man, Ava Seumanufagai, has played only NRL three matches.
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The young Tigers will confront a hardened Bulldogs side which includes veterans Frank Pritchard, Josh Morris, Michael Ennis, James Graham, Aiden Tolman, Dene Halatau and Greg Eastwood.
Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter has been forced to find replacements for injured stars Benji Marshall (toe), Tim Moltzen (knee), Chris Lawrence (hamstring), Braith Anasta (groin), Blake Ayshford (ankle), Keith Galloway (pectoral), Lote Tuqiri (arm) and Matt Bell (finger).
"We're not bothered about stats and history," Potter said.
"This is the best team we can select. We're not in the business of making excuses; we are in the business of winning."Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't."
Told the young players would at least bring plenty of enthusiasm, he said: "They do. And they haven't lacked that since they commenced fulltime training. Some of their progress has been more rapid than they thought or we thought. But they are good fellas and have a good future in the game. That future might be now."
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