Wests Tigers v Dragons: Bateman withdraws late; Ravalawa set to return
Wests Tigers will travel to Suncorp Stadium brimming with confidence for their clash against the Dragons after securing their first win of 2023 in impressive fashion last week.
The drought-breaking win over defending premiers Penrith sets up a chance to chase back-to-back wins for the joint venture - a feat not achieved by the club for over 12 months.
St George Illawarra have dropped their past four games by a total of 11 points, indicating while they're not getting the victories Anthony Griffin and his side need, they're certainly not being blown off the park.
Dragons captain Ben Hunt will share the dummy half duties with Moses Mbye after former Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle was dropped.
Mbye will start at hooker before Hunt moves into the role when Jayden Sullivan comes off the bench, and the pair's battle with Api Koroisau in the middle will be among the storylines to watch.
The clash between Hunt and Luke Brooks will also have a fair say on the match with Hunt unable to help his side over the line in the past month while Brooks produced one of his best performances in years to down the Panthers.
Both sides have a 5-5 record that dates back to 2017 but it's the Dragons who have had the most recent success with back-to-back wins over the joint venture.
Match: Wests Tigers v Dragons
Round 10 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
away Team
Dragons
16th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team news
Wests Tigers: A major late change five minutes before kick-off with John Bateman ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury in the warm-up. Asu Kepaoa comes into the starting side with Alex Seyfarth onto the bench and Justin Matamua 18th man.
Dragons: No late changes to the initial side that featured plenty on Tuesday. Zac Lomax and Jacob Liddle were among those dropped for Magic Round. Boom playmaker Jayden Sullivan's inclusion on the bench is set to see Ben Hunt move to hooker to spell Moses Mbye. Teenage second-rower Toby Couchman is 18th man.
Match: Wests Tigers v Dragons
Round 10 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'aCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Tommy TalauCentre for Dragons is number 4 Max Feagai
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior TupouWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Brandon WakehamFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke BrooksHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Dragons is number 8 Jack De Belin
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Dragons is number 9 Moses Mbye
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David KlemmerProp for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Billy Burns
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 17 Asu Kepaoa2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua PoleLock for Dragons is number 13 Jack Bird
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake SimpkinInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jayden Sullivan
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Joe OfahengaueInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Michael Molo
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex TwalInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Ben Murdoch-Masila
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Josh Kerr
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Justin MatamuaReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Toby Couchman
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers are aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time since April 2022.
- The Dragons have lost their past four games despite outscoring their opposition 14 tries to 13.
- Tigers winger David Nofoaluma has scored eight tries in his past six games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Dragons have lost all three Magic Round games since 2019.
- Wests Tigers have lost seven of their past eight games in Queensland.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
