NRL 2023, St George Illawarra Dragons, Wests Tigers, round 21 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 20 Jul 2023, 07:45 PM

St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers kick off Round 21 in Thursday night footy with both sides desperate to get away from the bottom of the ladder after disappointing campaigns.

The Dragons are fresh off their final bye of the year and host a Wests Tigers outfit who showed some good signs against the Knights in attack but were ultimately outplayed defensively, particularly on their edges.

With four points between the Bulldogs, who also have another bye up their sleeve, the winner of this match will go a long way towards avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon.

Both sides met each other earlier this year in Magic Round with Wests Tigers coming out on top to secure their first victory of the season despite a last-ditch effort by the Red V in the final minute.

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Team news

Dragons: The Dragons are 1-17 with no late changes. Fullback Tyrell Sloan (calf) and hooker Jacob Liddle (head knock) return after picking up injuries prior to the bye while skipper Ben Hunt is back at the helm after missing Round 19 on Origin duty. Jack Bird returns from a knee complaint after two successful hit-outs in NSW Cup and Dan Russell will start in the back row in place of Ben Murdoch-Masila (knee).

Wests Tigers: A late change just prior to kick-off with Shawn Blore dropping out after suffering a quad strain in the warm-up and Fonua Pole moving from 18th Man to the starting side in jersey No.15. Asu Kepaoa is the new 18th Man. Aitasi James was added to the bench on Wednesday. David Nofoaluma is back on the wing having recovered from a shoulder injury and Daine Laurie is back in the No.6 jersey, pushing Will Smith out of the side. Tallyn de Silva gets another opportunity on the bench with Jake Simpkin making way. Luke Brooks (hamstring) is at least another week away as he closes in on the final stages of his career at the joint venture.

Round 21 - Round 21 - Thursday 20 Jul

Full Time

Dragons

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Tommy Talau
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Daine Laurie
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Brandon Wakeham

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Billy Burns

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Dan Russell

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 15 Fonua Pole

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Moses Mbye

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Michael Molo

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Twal
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Jack Bird

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Aitasi James

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Zane Musgrove

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 21 Asu Kepaoa

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated: 6/3/2024 4:46:27 AM

Stat Attack

The Dragons have won five of their past seven games against Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers have been outscored 144-30 in their past three games.
Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa has scored seven tries in his past five games.
Wests Tigers halfback Brandon Wakeham has landed his last 18 attempts at goal.
The Dragons have conceded 102 points in three consecutive losses at WIN Stadium.
The Dragons have scored 64 tries this season compared to Wests Tigers tally of 46.
All four of the Dragons' wins have come on home soil this season (three at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium and one at WIN Stadium).