NRL 2026, Round 20, match preview, team lists, Bulldogs, Wests Tigers, updates, injuries

Bulldogs v Wests TIgers: Preston to start; Koroisai targets return

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 14 Jul 2026, 04:31 PM

The Bulldogs and Wests Tigers are teams looking to bounce back after disappointing losses last round.

Wests Tigers were in the fight in the first half against the Warriors before going down 30-6, while the Bulldogs never really in the contest against the Raiders, succumbing 40-16.

However, the two Western Sydney sides have an established rivalry and there is always plenty on the line when they meet.

This week, there is additional interest surrounding their captains, with Jarome Luai set for an early release at the end of this season while Stephen Crichton was cleared of serious injury after being assisted from the field via the medicab last game and has been listed in the reserves.

Round 20 - Round 20 - Saturday 18 Jul

9:35 am

Bulldogs

Wests Tigers

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney

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Team Lists Get Tickets

Team News

Bulldogs: Sean O'Sullivan takes over at five-eighth from Stephen Crichton, who lost feeling in his arm and was taken from the field on a medicab last Saturday. Crichton has been listed in the reserves along with Viliame Kikau, who is nearing a return from a pectoral injury suffered in Round 8. Star back-rower Jacob Preston is back in the starting side after playing 60 minutes off the bench last week in his returning from a broken arm. Josh Curran slides to the bench. Centre Enari Tuala returns after missing the Raiders game due to illness so Bronson Xerri makes way.

Wests Tigers: Skipper Api Koroisau is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a pectoral injury that kept him out of the Warriors game. After making his NRL debut last week, Jared Haywood has been named at hooker, with Josese Lanyon on the bench. Fonua Pole starts at prop in place of the suspended Bunty Afoa. The new face on the bench is young forward Ethan Roberts, who made his NRL debut against Manly in Round 11.

Round 20 - Round 20 - Saturday 18 Jul

9:35 am

Bulldogs

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt Burton

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Heamasi Makasini
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari Tuala

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jethro Rinakama

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Sean O'Sullivan

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam Doueihi

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jared Haywood
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Jaeman Salmon

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Sione Fainu
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Harry Hayes

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Ethan Roberts
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Jack Underhill

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Lipoi Hopoi

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Josese Lanyon
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Marcelo Montoya

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Faaletino Tavana
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Kit Laulilii

Reserves

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Viliame Kikau

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Junior Tupou
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Jed Reardon

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Javon Andrews
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Stephen Crichton

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Apisai Koroisau

Enari Tuala
Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Jed Reardon
Marcelo Montoya
Viliame Kikau

Apisai Koroisau
Ethan Roberts
Javon Andrews
Junior Tupou
Kit Laulilii

Alekolasimi Jones
Bronson Xerri

Bunty Afoa
Tony Sukkar

Match Officials

Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 7/14/2026 7:16:05 AM

Stat Attack

The Bulldogs have won three of their last four games at Accor Stadium.
Wests Tigers have lost their last 10 games at Accor Stadium.
Bulldogs Matt Burton, Enari Tuala and Kurt Mann require one try for 50 career tries.
Tigers winger Jeral Skelton has scored four tries in two games against the Bulldogs.
Bulldogs winger Jethro Rinakama has scored five tries in his last five games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.

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