Round 16: Wests Tigers v Storm preview
Points in demand with both teams undermanned
The Wests Tigers and the Melbourne Storm will be eyeing off two valuable competition points on Saturday evening as part of an Origin-impacted fixture at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Returning to their Western Suburbs home out of form and without their two primary playmakers, the Wests Tigers will be aiming to defy history in a bid to cause an upset.
Producing a dismal showing last Thursday on the Gold Coast, coach Tim Sheens has been forced to reshape his spine after Apisai Koroisau (jaw) and Luke Brooks (hamstring) both sustained long-term injuries during the 28-12 loss to the Titans.
Naming Starford To'a at five-eighth, Jake Simpkin at starting hooker and debutant Tallyn Da Silva as the interchange utility, Brent Naden and Asu Kepaoa will form a new look centre pairing while Alex Seyfarth joins the bench with Stefano Utoikamanu named to make his New South Wales debut.
Losing their past seven matches at Campbelltown and all three clashes against the Storm at the venue, the Tigers hold a poor record in matches leading into Origin with four wins from 14 fixtures over the past decade.
Rebounding with a big win at home last Sunday, the Melbourne Storm will be looking to consolidate a place in the top four amid a host of closely-ranked rivals set to receive points from the bye this weekend.
Crossing for nine tries in a 54-10 rout against the Sharks at home, the Storm will be without Queensland trio Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Xavier Coates, along with captain Christian Welch due to a suspension incurred for dangerous contact.
Elevating Jonah Pezet, Bronson Garlick and George Jennings into the starting side with Alec MacDonald and Aaron Pene joining the bench, Tariq Sims will start in place of injured forward Eliesa Katoa in the second-row.
Winning 14 out of 31 matches prior to Origin during Craig Bellamy's two decade tenure at the club, the Storm hold a stronger record without their representative stars in recent seasons with three wins from four matches.
The Tigers and Storm have played twice before in Origin-impacted fixtures; the Storm prevailed 14-12 in 2009, while the Tigers responded with a 10-6 victory in 2012.
Last meeting: Round 4 2023 - Storm 24 Wests Tigers 12
Who to watch: Set to take on the responsibility of directing the Tigers across the field as the most experienced genuine playmaker left standing at the club, Saturday evening shapes as a pivotal game in Brandon Wakeham's career. Stringing together six consecutive matches in the halves for the first time in first grade, the 24-year-old Fijian international has shown touches of class in the number six jersey after struggling for opportunities with Canterbury. Out of contract at season's end, a strong showing could see Wakeham solve the club's long-term playmaking woes.
Coming to the Storm with plenty of hype following an acclaimed career spanning more than a decade, Tariq Sims has yet to fulfil expectations in the Victorian capital. Going from a starting forward with NSW to spending time in reserve grade in the space of a year, the 33-year-old has struggled to make an impression in a mere six appearances so far this season. Coming off a club best performance with more than 100 running metres and 20 tackles for the first time in a purple jersey, the Storm will need Sims have a similar impact on Saturday evening.
Favourite: The Storm are expected to get the job done off the back of winning their past five matches against the Tigers.
My tip: With the Tigers naming one of the weakest spines fielded all season, the Storm should have the class to finish on top at the end of 80 minutes. Storm by 18.
