Wests Tigers 2023 NRL Preview & Predictions

<p>It looks as if the Wests Tigers believe the key to future success is the past. As a result, they’ve reinstated their premiership winning coach Tim Sheens who last coached the team in 2012.</p> <p>Club legends Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah have been installed as his assistants ensuring a full-blown class of 2005 reunion is on the cards for the upcoming season.</p> <p>Along with the sweeping changes in the coach’s box, the Tigers have undergone the biggest squad overhaul in the competition.</p> <p>After winning the wooden spoon last season a cleanout was always expected and the joint-venture have not disappointed.</p> <p>As a result, the Wests Tigers’ predicted line up for round one will be almost unrecognisable to the one that finished dead last in 2022.</p> <p>Will the sweeping changes across the board be enough to lift the once mighty Tigers from the foot of the ladder? Or does more misery await?</p> <p>Our Wests Tigers preview for the upcoming season is below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>John Bateman (Wigan Warriors)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>David Klemmer (Newcastle Knights)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Isaiah Papali’i (Parramatta Eels)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Will Smith (Gold Coast Titans)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Charlie Staines (Penrith Panthers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Brandon Wakeham (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Sione Fainu (Manly Sea Eagles)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>If you can’t beat them, buy them. That appears to be the mantra adopted by the Tigers’ front office because they’ve hit the shops, hard.</p> <p>They’ve effectively purchased a brand new starting forward pack with the signings of John Bateman, David Klemmer and Isaiah Papali’i.</p> <p>Sione Fainu, Will Smith and Charlie Staines have also signed on the dotted line, however they are all likely to be used as cover throughout the season.</p> <p>The biggest off-season addition however is three-time premiership winner and NSW representative Api Koroisau. The dynamic rake joins from premiers Penrith and will be expected to add a different dimension to the Tigers attack.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Fa’amanu Brown (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Luke Garner (Penrith Panthers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Oliver Gildart (The Dolphins)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jackson Hastings (Newcastle Knights)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jacob Liddle (St George Illawarra Dragons)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Zane Musgrove (St George Illawarra Dragons)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>James Roberts (retired)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Kelma Tuilagi (Manly Sea Eagles)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>With so many new faces coming in, mass departures are inevitable. It’s no surprise then that 10 different players have been shown the door.</p> <p>It’s hard to argue with any of the personnel changes bar one. Allowing Jackson Hastings to leave and join the Knights is a downright puzzling decision.</p> <p>Yes, they received David Klemmer as part of the deal but Hastings was arguably their best player last season and showed his versatility playing both in the halves and at lock.</p> <p>Every other move has been more than justified, with nearly every other departing player being replaced by a superior new signing – Jacob Liddle to Api Koroisau, Zane Musgrove to David Klemmer and Kelma Tuilagi to Isaiah Papali’i for starters.</p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Apisai Koroisau</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Fresh off winning back-to-back premierships with the Penrith Panthers, livewire dummy half Api Koroisau has decided to trade one end of the table for the other signing with the Tigers on a two-year contract.</p> <p>One of the craftiest hookers in the league, Koroisau will bring some much needed flair and unpredictability to the Tigers attack which was more than a little stale last year.</p> <p>Working under the tutelage of one of the game’s great No.9s in Robbie Farah should only add to Koroisau’s output.</p> <p>While it’s unlikely his new side will reach the lofty heights of his former employers, if Api can hit top form, he should be able to get the Tigers away from the foot of the ladder.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Wests Tigers’ Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: <strong>11th</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While they were beyond dismal in 2022 and rightfully collected the first wooden spoon in their history, it is clear the Tigers have done everything in their power to ensure they don’t suffer a repeat of last season.</p> <p>The appointment of Sheens, Marshall and Farah is just what the doctor ordered and they will go a long way to fixing the culture of the club and restoring pride back into the jersey.</p> <p>On top of this, no team in the league has recruited better. They have completely transformed their forward pack into one of the best in the competition and the addition of Koroisau should be a total game changer for the joint-venture.</p> <p>As with all rebuilds, they usually take more than one season regardless of the quality of the signings. The Bulldogs over the last few seasons are a prime example of this.</p> <p>Combinations take time to gel and players have to adjust to their new surroundings, so Tigers’ fans should keep their expectations in check.</p> <p>It will be quite something if Wests are able to crack the top 8 the season after finishing last, although it will probably be a step too far for them this time around.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Wests Tigers’ Predicted Team For Round 1</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Daine Laurie</li> <li>David Nofoaluma</li> <li>Tommy Talau</li> <li>Brent Naden</li> <li>Ken Maumalo</li> <li>Adam Doueihi</li> <li>Luke Brooks</li> <li>Stefano Utoikamanu</li> <li>Api Koroisau</li> <li>David Klemmer</li> <li>Isaiah Papali’i</li> <li>John Bateman</li> <li>Joe Ofahengaue</li> <li>Jake Simpkin</li> <li>Alex Twal</li> <li>Fonua Pole</li> <li>Shawn Blore</li> </ol>