The Wests Tigers have dropped new cult hero Mahe Fonua to the Intrust Super Premiership after he arrived at a training session on Sunday close to an hour late.

NRL.com has been told the Wests Tigers coaching staff and captaincy group discussed the course of action required and all agreed it would be best for Fonua to be dropped this weekend.

Fonua, who slept in on Sunday, has been one of the Tigers' best over the past two weeks.

However, the Tigers are hellbent on upholding a set of standards that have helped them be the surprise packets of the Telstra Premiership with an impressive 6-4 record over the first 10 rounds of the season.

Kevin Naiqama returns in the centres after missing last Thursday's win over North Queensland to attend a family member's funeral.