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AAP
AAP
Sport
Scott Bailey

Maguire opts against the axe at Tigers

Joseph Leilua will return for Wests Tigers against St George Illawarra this weekend. (AAP)

Michael Maguire has resisted the urge to wield the axe again at Wests Tigers, making just two changes to the 17 that was thumped by Manly.

Under fire after the worst start to a season in the club's history, Maguire has shown in the past he is not afraid to make mass changes at the joint-venture.

But on Tuesday he played a relatively calm hand ahead of Sunday's clash with St George Illawarra, dropping only Michael Chee-Kam from his team.

Joseph Leilua will return in the centres after overcoming a thumb injury suffered in reserve grade, while Tom Mikaele is the other man in for Zane Musgrove.

Musgrove missed two tackles in the 40-6 loss to Manly, which led to back-to-back tries to the Sea Eagles.

But after the horror run on the field, the changes could hardly be considered as sweeping ones.

Maguire has remained solid with Luke Brooks as his half after missing five tackles last week, while he'll also persist with Adam Doueihi.

The other changes are only material, with Luke Garner starting and Stefano Utoikumanu reverting to the interchange.

Maguire's position came under fire on Sunday night.

A day later he insisted the club was supporting his focus on youth within the roster.

He also indicated conversations at the club "needed to stay internal", worrying the speculation was having an impact on player performances.

Meanwhile the heat has somewhat swung onto the club's management, with the focus on chief executive Justin Pascoe and chairman Lee Hagipantelis.

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