Campbelltown Sports Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 8 NRL game between Wests Tigers and Manly Sea Eagles. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Manly Sea Eagles heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Wests Tigers vs. Manly Sea Eagles game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday April 23, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Where: Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Wests Tigers vs Manly Sea Eagles Odds
Wests Tigers vs Manly Sea Eagles Preview
The 0-6 Wests Tigers produced arguably their most encouraging performance of a disastrous start to 2023 in Round 6 but couldn’t quite run down Parramatta in a 28-22 Easter Monday loss. The Tigers had the bye last week.
The Tigers’ issues are manifold, scoring the least points per game in the NRL, conceding the second-most and struggling to adapt to a new style – if in fact they have one at all. Their big-name recruits haven’t fired and confidence and cohesion is low across the board.
Adam Doueihi’s shattering knee injury sees Brandon Wakeham return at five-eighth. Meanwhile, Brent Naden’s collarbone absence forces a backline reshuffle, with Jahream Bula to debut at fullback and Charlie Staines returning to the wing.
Manly was at a crossroads last week after being pumped by Penrith, but Anthony Seibold’s side made a huge statement with a gritty, physical 18-8 defeat of in-form Melbourne. DCE and Tom Trbojevic provided the direction and polish to accompany and aggressive engine-room effort.
The Sea Eagles are boosted by the return of five-eighth Josh Schuster and winger Reuben Garrick. Kelma Tuilagi (concussion) is out, while Sean Keppie and debutant Samuela Fainu join the bench.
Manly has won its last four against Wests Tigers by 14-plus margins – including a 36-22 result at 4 Pines Park in Round 9 last year and a 30-4 rout at Campbelltown five weeks later. The Tigers are on a five-match slide at Campbelltown and have won only four of their last 18 at the home venue.
The 3-1-2 Sea Eagles are yet to win away from their northern beaches base, but this match-up provides a gift-wrapped opportunity to change that as the Tigers appear destined to become the first team since 2005 to start a season 0-7.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Manly Sea Eagles to win at $1.33 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Jason Saab at $9.00.
Wests Tigers vs Manly Sea Eagles Teams
Wests Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Daine Laurie 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Alex Twal 17. Tommy Talau 18. Alex Seyfarth 19. Shawn Blore 20. Justin Matamua 21. David Nofoaluma 22. Jake Simpkin
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Samuela Fainu 15. Sean Keppie 16. Aaron Woods 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Cooper Johns 19. Kaeo Weekes 20. Ben Condon 21. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 22. Christian Tuipulotu