The Sharks have named a near full strength line-up for their trial match against the Wests Tigers, while the Newtown Jets have included a number of Sharks in their team to take on the Tigers in a NSW Cup trial.
Skipper Paul Gallen, backrower Wade Graham and prop Andrew Fifita are amongst those returning for their team’s second trial hit out of the pre-season, with Jack Bird to again wear the number one jersey and to play at fullback for the match set down for Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday.
Bird’s naming at fullback means Valentine Holmes will again play on the wing, with Ben Barba chosen on the Sharks interchange bench.
Barba is expected to get plenty of game time on Saturday, giving him every opportunity to impress ahead of the Sharks season-opener against the Cowboys in two weeks’ time.
The Tigers trial will also give the new halves partnership of Chad Townsend and James Maloney another chance to work on their combination before heading north to take on the defending premiers in round 1.
A total of 11 Sharks NRL squad members have also been selected to play for Newtown in the NSW Cup trial, however they are likely to also be given some game time in the final period of the NRL match.
The Sharks team list for the trial match, which kicks off at 7.00pm, is listed below.
Sharks v Wests Tigers
Saturday, February 20
Campbelltown Stadium
Kick-off 7.00pm
1. Jack Bird
2. Valentine Holmes
3. Gerard Beale
4. Ricky Leutele
5. Sosaia Feki
6. James Maloney
7. Chad Townsend
8. Sam Tagataese
9. Michael Ennis
10. Andrew Fifita
11. Luke Lewis
12. Wade Graham
13. Paul Gallen
Interchange
16 Jayson Bukuya
18 Joseph Paulo
19 Ben Barba
21 Matt Prior
22 David Fifita
23 Chris Heighington
