Wests Tigers v Bulldogs: Horne back on deck; Tagoai good to go
The final game of Round 9 sees one of the competition's biggest improvers in Wests Tigers take on a Bulldogs side searching for a response after a difficult Round 8.
Wests Tigers beat Newcastle 27-26 in dramatic fashion, while Canterbury was comprehensively beaten 48-4 by Canberra.
Wests Tigers have become one of the feel-good stories of 2026. This year, under coach Craig Sandercock, the team have developed resilience, attacking confidence and an ability to win tight contests.
Raecene McGregor's match-winning field goal last week was the latest example of a side refusing to panic under pressure.
The Bulldogs face a significant challenge after being overwhelmed by the Raiders. Canterbury struggled to contain Canberra's attack and will need to improve defensively to compete with an in-form Tigers outfit.
A strength of Wests Tigers has been their ability to generate points from multiple players across the field.
Their support play and second-phase attack have troubled opposition defences, while their confidence continues to grow with each win.
Match: Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
Round 9 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
3rd Position
away Team
Bulldogs
8th Position
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Wests Tigers: Centre Rikeya Horne has been promoted to the starting side on game day in her return from a calf injury. Shenai Lendill reverts to the bench. Other changes see Shaniece Monschau come from the bench to start at prop, moving Christian Pio to the interchange. Tara Reinke has dropped to 18th player.
Bulldogs: Monica Tagoai returns from a knee injury in the centres with Simina Lokotui shifting to the wing. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa moves to an edge with Pauline Suli-Ruka dropping back to 18th player. Hope Millard has earned a promotion to start at lock with Maátuleio Fotu-Moala joining the bench. Elizabeth McGregor came out of the side on Saturday. Earlier, young gun Evelyn Roberts was named to returned to the bench, shifting Ebony Prior to the reserves.
Match: Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
Round 9 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Caitlin TurnbullFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Andie Robinson
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Harmony CrichtonWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Bridget Hoy
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Portia BourkeCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Daynah Nankivell
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 22 Rikeya HorneCentre for Bulldogs is number 18 Monica Tagoai
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Lily RoganWinger for Bulldogs is number 4 Simina Lokotui
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Losana LutuFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Ashleigh Quinlan
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Raecene McGregorHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Tayla Preston
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah TogatukiProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Kalosipani Hopoate
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Salma NourHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Mary-Jane Taito
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Shaniece MonschauProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Alexis Tauaneai
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Leilani Wilson
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shaylee Bent2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 13 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Holli WheelerLock for Bulldogs is number 16 Hope Millard
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 4 Shenai LendillInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Evelyn Roberts
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Faythe ManeraInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Paea Uilou
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Christian PioInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Latisha Smythe
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Brooke TalatainaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Ma’atuleio Fotu-Moala
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tara ReinkeReplacement for Bulldogs is number 12 Pauline Suli-Ruka
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory.
- Bulldogs winger Simina Lokotui has scored seven tries in her last six games.
- Wests Tigers halfback Raecene McGregor is the leading NRLW points scorer after eight rounds.
- The Bulldogs have conceded 138 points in their last four games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
