Wests Tigers v Bulldogs: Bula, Api return; Kiraz No.1 gun
Wests Tigers will look to return to form when they host the resurgent Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium on Saturday evening.
Benji Marshall's men lost three in a row before last week's bye but are set to receive a major boost with Api Koroisau to return from suspension this weekend.
The crafty hooker was instrumental in the Tigers' dominant start to the season and his inclusion will provide variety in attack and a steady hand in defence.
The hosts will need to be at their best to prevail on Saturday after Canterbury returned to form with a come-from-behind victory over Melbourne last Friday.
Promising forwards Jack Underhill and Jed Reardon have added energy and enthusiasm to the side, while Matt Burton and Lachlan Galvin continue to develop their halves partnership.
Saturday's clash marks Galvin's second game against his former club, the Bulldogs going down 28-14 in Round 22 last year.
The talented halfback will be looking to orchestrate a different result this weekend as Canterbury look to kickstart a charge towards the finals.
Match: Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
Round 13 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
13th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Wests Tigers: Fullback Jahream Bula has been named to return after three games out with a shoulder injury while skipper Api Koroisau (suspension), lock Alex Twal (knee) and outside back Heamasi Makasini (foot) are also back on deck. Sunia Turuva and Makasini are the new centres with Taylan May (shoulder) and Patrick Herbert (suspension) both missing. Faaletino Tavana comes in on the wing in place of Luke Laulilii while Latu Fainu and Alex Seyfarth move to the interchange to make way for Koroisau and Twal.
Bulldogs: Jacob Kiraz retains the No.1 jersey after a starring role at fullback in his return from injury last week. The loss of back-rower Jacob Preston (arm) sees Jaeman Salmon move to the second row and Harry Hayes starts at lock. Josh Curran is back in the NRL after playing NSW Cup last week and is joined on the by last week's debutant Jed Reardon and third-gamer Jack Underhill. Fullback Connor Tracey has been named on the extended bench in a bid to return from a hamstring injury. Captain Stephen Crichton has been named on the extended bench and will be monitored post-Origin while fellow Blue Matt Burton has been named in the starting side.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Jacob Kiraz
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Jeral SkeltonWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jethro Rinakama
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Sunia TuruvaCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Heamasi MakasiniCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari Tuala
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Faaletino TavanaWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jock MaddenHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell MayProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Kurt Mann
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua PoleProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Sione Fainu2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Sitili Tupouniua
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Harry Hayes
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu FainuInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Jed Reardon
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Royce HuntInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Jack Underhill
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Charlie MurrayInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Josh Curran
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Mavrik GeyerInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Lipoi Hopoi
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Starford To'aInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Jonathan Sua
Reserves
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Tristan HopeReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Sean O'Sullivan
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Ethan RobertsReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Connor Tracey
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Heath MasonReserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Stephen Crichton
Wests Tigers Ins
- Alex Twal
- Apisai Koroisau
- Charlie Murray
- Faaletino Tavana
- Heamasi Makasini
- Jahream Bula
- Starford To'a
Bulldogs Ins
- Connor Tracey
- Jonathan Sua
- Josh Curran
- Lipoi Hopoi
- Stephen Crichton
Wests Tigers Outs
- Bunty Afoa
- Luke Laulilii
- Patrick Herbert
- Taylan May
Bulldogs Ins
- Alekolasimi Jones
- Jacob Preston
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers have conceded 142 points in their last three games.
- The Bulldogs have won three of their past four games against the Tigers.
- Tigers winger Luke Laulilii has scored four tries in his last four games.
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their past seven games at CommBank Stadium.
- Wests Tigers have lost their last five Saturday night games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Tickets to Saturday's game are available from $20 and are selling fast. Don't miss a minute of the action, head to NRL.com/tickets to get your tickets today.
