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St. George Illawarra Dragons can ill-afford to lose matches like this if they want to compete for a top eight spot with Wests Tigers coming into this with just two wins to their name all season.
START DATE/TIME: UK - Friday 7th June, 2024 - 11:00 / AUS - 20:00 / US EST - 06:00 / US PST - 03:00
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will not be broadcast live in the UK / This match will be broadcast live on Fox League and Nine in Australia / This match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports in the US
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the UK / This match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and 9Now in Australia / This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the US
ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS FORM: DRAGONS UPSET PREMIERS
There are always upsets when State of Origin hits and the Dragons highlighted that in abundance last week as they toppled reigning premiers Penrith Panthers. That is now two wins from their last three matches and another success would be a huge boost ahead of some trickier fixtures.
LAST FIVE: LLWLW
WESTS TIGERS FORM: TIGERS STRUGGLE AGAIN
Wests have now lost their last eight matches after going down to North Queensland Cowboys last week. They shipped 42 points in that contest and while they showed improvement with the ball, their all-round game needs to be much better.
LAST FIVE: LLLLL
ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS TEAM NEWS: DRAGONS HOPING TO SEE HUNT BACK UP
After his double for Queensland in Wednesday’s Origin contest, the Dragons will be desperate for Ben Hunt to put his hand up to play his second game in three days. Having not played the full 80 in that game, there is a chance he backs up while Zac Lomax and Jaydn Su’A could also come into the side having also played in that contest.
Starting 13: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Sione Finau 3. Moses Suli 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Jesse Marschke 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Tom Eisenhuth Bench: 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 17. Ryan Couchman Reserves: 18. Fa'amanu Brown 19. Michael Molo 20. Christian Tuipulotu 21. Ben Hunt 22. Jaydn Su'A 23. Zac Lomax
WESTS TIGERS TEAM NEWS: OLAM BACK FROM BAN
Centre Justin Olam comes back into the side having served a suspension while Alex Lobb is the new name on the wing in what will be his second appearance of the season. David Klemmer is banned and Isaiah Papali’i is also out due to a ban.
Starting 13: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Alexander Lobb 3. Charlie Staines 4. Justin Olam 5. Solomon Alaimalo 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Alex Twal 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Justin Matamua Bench: 14. Brent Naden 15. Fonua Pole 16. Sione Fainu 17. Reuben Porter Reserves: 18. Tallyn Da Silva 19. Solomona Faataape 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Asu Kepaoa 22. Jordan Miller
ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS VS WESTS TIGERS PREDICTION
St. George Illawarra Dragons prevailed in their clash with Penrith Panthers last week but if they are to go back-to-back and also make it three wins from their last four outings, they may need their State of Origin stars to take to the field. Ben Hunt is their talisman so his inclusion will be vital but against a poor Wests Tigers outfit, they may still have enough to get the job done even if he does not back up following his exploits on Wednesday.
ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS VS WESTS TIGERS TIP: ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS TO WIN