Wests Tigers are chasing a winning start to the year as they prepare to take on the North Queensland Cowboys in front of a big crowd on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Leichhardt Oval. 

Confidence is high in Tiger Town after an undefeated Witzer Pre-Season Challenge but Benji Marshall’s men have had to bide their time before launching their season. 

A bye in Round 1 saw the Tigers sit back and watch their 16 rivals take to the field before this weekend’s clash with the Cowboys. 

Marshall has made plenty of changes over the summer and the early signs are promising. The new halves pairing of Adam Doueihi and Jarome Luai has sparked their attack while 18-year-old outside back Heamasi Makasini showcased why he’s considered a future star in two dominant pre-season appearances.

Kai Pearce-Paul is set for his club debut after a calf complaint kept him out of the trials in another boost to the Tigers pack. 

While the Tigers have been waiting patiently to play, the Cowboys have travelled to Las Vegas and back. 

North Queensland returned home empty handed, having suffered a hard-fought 28-18 loss to Newcastle. The defeat came at a cost, with prop Thomas Mikaele picking up a knee injury that will sideline him for six weeks. 

Heilum Luki and Tom Chester both impressed in their returns from long-term layoffs and will look to take another big step forward on Saturday afternoon. 

The Cowboys stunned the Tigers at Leichhardt last season in a game that was meant to celebrate Marshall’s 2005 grand final win over North Queensland. The visitors have their sights on another upset this weekend as they look to open their account for 2026. 

Team News

Wests Tigers: Young gun Heamasi Makasini has been named at centre for his second NRL appearance following his outstanding Pre-Season Challenge form. Fellow teenager Luke Laulilii gets his shot on the wing in career game No.10. Englishman Kai Pearce-Paul has overcome a calf injury and will make his Tigers debut in the back row alongside Samuela Fainu. The six-man bench includes former Bronco Jock Madden, prop Royce Hunt and bullocking winger Jeral Skelton.

Cowboys: Winger Braidon Burns was successful in his bid to earn a downgrade at the judiciary on Tuesday night on a high tackle charge and will take his place. The loss of Tom Mikaele to a knee injury sees Soni Luke promoted to the bench while Liam Sutton and Ethan King are the No.18 and 19. Star fullback Scott Drinkwater was nursing rib cartilage damage in Vegas but is expected to be good to go.

Stat Attack

Wests Tigers have won three of their last four games at Leichhardt Oval.
The Cowboys have won their last five games against the Tigers.
Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored seven tries in seven games at Leichhardt.
Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored 10 tries in his last seven games against the Tigers.
Tigers centre Starford To’a has scored six tries in his last six games against the Cowboys.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.