Wests Tigers v Dragons: Kautoga makes debut; Sloan a late inclusion
The Tigers are in a world of hurt after a record-breaking loss to the Roosters and they face a Dragons side capable of putting on a big score themselves if their attack clicks as it did in Round 23.
After going down to 12 men with 17 minutes to play when Francis Molo was sent off on Sunday, the Red V exploded with three late tries to rack up their biggest score of the season.
A repeat of that free-flowing football could spell disaster for the Tigers, whose morale is in tatters after conceding 72 points to the Roosters and having skipper James Tamou sent off for dissent.
For all their troubles during the past decade the Tigers have never claimed the wooden spoon so that should be motivation enough to dig deep in their final two games.
Match: Wests Tigers v Dragons
Round 24 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
16th Position
away Team
Dragons
10th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Wests Tigers: There are no late changes for the home side. Luke Garner (head knock), Ken Maumalo (groin), James Tamou (suspended) and Alex Seyfarth (shoulder) are all out. Junior Pauga comes in on the wing while Tom Freebairn will start in the second row. Joe Ofahengaue moves from lock to prop, Fa'amanu Brown goes to lock and Jake Simpkin is the new hooker. Jacob Liddle and debutant Kitione Kautoga are the new faces on the bench.
Dragons: A few changes for the visitors with Tyrell Sloan coming onto the wing for Mat Feagai. Jack Bird moves to lock with Jack de Belin starting at prop for Aaron Woods, who moves back to the interchange. Francis Molo (suspended) and Andrew McCullough (knee) are also out. Jayden Sullivan comes into the starting side at hooker after an impressive showing off the bench against the Titans.
Match: Wests Tigers v Dragons
Round 24 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Dragons is number 1 Cody Ramsey
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Brent NadenWinger for Dragons is number 5 Tautau Moga
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'aCentre for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu KepaoaCentre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Fetalaiga PaugaWinger for Dragons is number 17 Tyrell Sloan
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam DoueihiFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jock MaddenHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Joe OfahengaueProp for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake SimpkinHooker for Dragons is number 9 Jayden Sullivan
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Zane MusgroveProp for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Tom Freebairn2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Josh McGuire
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fa'amanu BrownLock for Dragons is number 3 Jack Bird
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Fonua PoleInterchange for Dragons is number 8 Aaron Woods
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Austin DiasInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Tyrell Fuimaono
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jacob LiddleInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Jaiyden Hunt
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Kitione KautogaInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Jackson Ford
Reserves
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Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Justin MatamuaReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Jack Gosiewski
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Adam Doueihi v Talatau Amone: The Tigers No.6 will look to use his strength to go over the top of defenders. The lively Dragon will rely on his speed and footwork to continue a tryscoring blitz that has yielded him five in two weeks. Doueihi also has a huge boot which he uses to great effect while Amone did plenty of kicking in general play in the win over the Titans. The 20-year-old Dragon is serving an apprenticeship alongside a master playmaker in Ben Hunt. The 24-year-old Tiger will be hoping the return of Luke Brooks from injury frees him up to play what he sees and take on the line more.
Stat Attack
The Tigers have kept an opponent to 12 points or less just twice this season, one of those being against the Dragons in a 12-6 defeat at WIN Stadium in Round 8. The other occasion was Round 4 at Cbus Super Stadium when a late AJ Brimson try handed the Titans an 8-6 win over the Tigers.
Match: Wests Tigers v Dragons
Round 24 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
16th Position
away Team
Dragons
10th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
