Marshall named captain for NRL All Stars

Written by NRL.com | 02 December 2011

Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall has today been named to replace Darren Lockyer as captain of the 2012 NRL All Stars side to play on February 4 on the Gold Coast.

As captain and also being the NZ skipper, the 2011 Golden Boot winner is an automatic selection in the 20-man NRL All Stars squad. In addition, following the retirement of Darren Lockyer, Storm captain Cameron Smith takes his place as the Australian team’s automatic selection.

The public now take on the role of selector and will vote on the 16 players to join Marshall and Smith. An additional two players will be selected by Bennett at the completion of stage two voting in January.

Fans have until December 23 to be a selector in the first stage of voting at www.nrl.com/allstars for one of the greatest coaches in rugby league history. As in previous years, they must choose two forwards and two backs from each club to form a shortlist for Bennett to then refine his team for stage two of the voting.

Marshall said it was an honour to be chosen by Bennett to follow Lockyer as the 2012 NRL All Stars captain.

“I feel very privileged to be replacing Darren Lockyer as captain, in particular knowing that Wayne Bennett made the decision,” Marshall said.

“This game brings together some of the best players from across our game and the crowd are in for quite a match given the one-all draw. There is no question that both sides play with absolute intensity.”
 

Source

Home ground allocations for 2012 released

Written by WestsTigersForum.com | 22 November 2011

Wests Tigers will today release their home ground allocations for the 2012 NRL Season.

Rd 1: March 1-5: vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Leichhardt Oval.
Rd 4: March 23-26: vs Canberra Raiders, Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Rd 5: March 30-April 2: vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sydney Cricket Ground.
Rd 6: April 6-9: vs Brisbane Broncos, Sydney Football Stadium.
Rd 11: May 18-21: vs New Zealand Warriors, Leichhardt Oval.
Rd 12: May 25-28: vs North Queensland Cowboys, Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Rd 15: June 15-18: vs Sydney Roosters, Leichhardt Oval
Rd 18: July 6-9: vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Sydney Football Stadium
Rd 19: July 13-16: vs Penrith Panthers, Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Rd 22: August 3-6: vs Parramatta Eels, Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Rd 23: August 10-13: vs St George-Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Football Stadium
Rd 26: August 31-September 2: vs Melbourne Storm, Leichhardt Oval
 

Leichhardt Oval:
Round 1: 1-5 March vs Cronulla Sharks
Round 11: 18-21 May vs New Zealand Warriors
Round 15: 15-18 June vs Sydney Roosters
Round 26: 31 August - 2 September vs Melbourne Storm

Campbelltown Stadium:
Round 4: 23-26 March vs Canberra Raiders
Round 12: 25-28 May vs North Queensland Cowboys
Round 19: 13-16 July vs Penrith Panthers
Round 22: 3-6 August vs Parramatta Eels

SFS/SCG:
Round 5: 30 March - 2 April vs South Sydney (SCG)
Round 6: 6-9 April vs Brisbane Broncos
Round 18: 6-9 July vs Canterburry-Bankstown Bulldogs
Round 23: 10-13 August vs St George Illawarra Dragons

Wests Tigers installed as Premiership favourites

Written by WestsTigersForum.com | 10 November 2011

For the first time since the final days of September 2005, Wests Tigers have been installed as favourites to win the NRL Premiership. Manly’s dumping of coach Des Hasler has seen the Sea Eagle’s odds for 2012 grow as doubts linger over the team’s ability to post a successful title defence next season. This has left the bookies feeling the most confidence in the Wests Tigers’ chances. TAB Sports Bet has placed the Tigers as early favourites at $8, with Manly, Melbourne and the Warriors placed at $9.

Wests Tigers release Rob Lui

Written by Wests Tigers | 09 November 2011

Wests Tigers can confirm half-back Robert Lui has been released from the final year of his contract with the Club.
 
The decision allows Lui to immediately take on a two-year deal with the North Queensland Cowboys.
 
Born in Townsville, Lui made his first grade debut for the Club at the end of 2009 and played 43 games for Wests Tigers.
 
“Robert grew up in North Queensland and we believe he will benefit from the strong family support available to him in Townsville," said Wests Tigers Chief Executive Stephen Humphreys.
 
"He is a very talented football player and leaves with our best wishes for the future."