Check out the match preview and prediction for the Round 25 clash between the Tigers and the Dolphins.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Wests Tigers vs Dolphins
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Date: Saturday August 19, 3:00pm.
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Daine Laurie 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Shawn Blore 18. Justin Matamua 19. Aitasi James 20. Triston Reilly 21. Josh Feledy 22. Kit Laulilii
Dolphins: 1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Robert Jennings 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harrison Graham 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Mark Nicholls 14. JJ Collins 15. Josh Kerr 16. Anthony Milford 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Trai Fuller 19. Max Plath 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Mason Teague 22. Valynce Te Whare
Referee: Ben Cummins
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
There are only two teams currently remaining in the NRL who have never played each other. That will change this Saturday afternoon, when Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins run onto CommBank Stadium to meet a Wests Tigers side desperate to avoid the wooden spoon.
The Tigers have outplayed their position on the ladder in recent weeks. Sparked by the in-form spine of Jahream Bula, Daine Laurie, Luke Brooks and Api Koroisau, the Tigers have gone the distance with the Warriors and Raiders in the last two weeks, whilst competing solidly with the Rabbitohs the week before.
The side may have fewer wins than this time last season, but they’re undoubtably playing better footy.
The success of Brooks and Laurie in the halves is bittersweet for Tigers fans but sets them up well for this game.
There’ll be added incentive for the joint venture this week, as head coach Tim Sheens has been confirmed to be leaving the club early at the end of the season, with club legend Benji Marshall taking the reins in 2024.
A successful run home would be the perfect farewell to the great Sheens, and the players know it.
Meanwhile the Dolphins are spluttering home after massively exceeding expectations early in the season.
Their loss to the Roosters was somewhat disappointing, but also hit the club with a number of injuries and suspensions. Connelly Lemuelu, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jeremy Marshall-King, Kenny Bromwich and Ray Stone are all unavailable from last week. Euan Aitken returns to the side in the backrow, while Valynce Te Whare is dropped to the reserves.
With the likes of Jack Bostock and Harrison Graham promoted into the starting side, it’s a development-oriented approach from a club now looking to build towards next year.
It will be the first time since round 16 2012 that Sheens and Bennett come head-to-head, and the 43rd time overall, with Bennett winning over 70% of their encounters.
LAST TEN MATCHES
First meeting.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Tigers by 10 points.
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