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Wests Tigers v Dolphins: Kepaoa to start; Hammer back in business

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With four on the trot the Dolphins are emerging as one of the hottest teams in the NRL and will fancy their chances of making it five when they meet Wests Tigers to close out Magic Round on Sunday.

After grinding out another impressive victory over the Sea Eagles, Wayne Bennett's side are riding high in the NRL's top four and could be an even bigger threat this weekend as they look to welcome back star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring) for his first game since Round 6.  

With Herbie Farnworth returning in style from a shoulder injury and veteran forwards Mark Nicholls and Felise Kaufusi producing some of their career-best footy, the Dolphins don't look to be slowing down anytime soon with games against the Warriors and Raiders before their Round 14 bye.

Wests Tigers, meanwhile, are riding a six-game losing streak and will be desperate to turn effort into points as the Concord club continued as missed tackles (38) and penalties (6) ultimately cost them a win at Tamworth on Sunday. 

The going only gets tougher with star forward Isaiah Papali'i set to join veteran halfback Aidan Sezer on the sideline after being suspended for a Tripping offence but Tigers fans will be hoping young guns Lachie Galvin and Jahream Bula can step up and find the magic at Suncorp on Sunday.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Wests Tigers v Dolphins

Team News

Wests Tigers: A late change an hour before kick-off with Asu Kepaoa moving into the starting side and Alex Seyfarth going to the interchange bench. Brent Naden moves back to his preferred position in the centres with Starford To'a (hamstring) out, while Sione Fainu will make his debut from the bench. Tallyn Da Silva is 18th man.

Dolphins: Mark Nicholls goes to the bench, Felise Kaufusi to prop and Connelly Lemuelu will start in the back row in a late shuffle. Star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns from a hamstring injury, pushing Trai Fuller to 18th man. Max Plath (head knock) is out this week, which sees Kenny Bromwich move into the run-on side at lock.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
    Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
    Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Brent Naden
    Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam
    Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Solomon Alaimalo
    Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
  • Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
    Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
  • Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jayden Sullivan
    Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
    Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
  • Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
    Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy  Marshall-King
  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
    Prop for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Euan Aitken
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 16 Asu Kepaoa
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 17 Connelly Lemuelu
  • Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
    Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath Bromwich

Interchange

  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 12 Alex Seyfarth
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 10 Mark Nicholls
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake Simpkin
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Fonua Pole
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Kurt Donoghoe
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Sione Fainu
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone

Reserves

  • Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tallyn Da Silva
    Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Trai Fuller

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Todd Smith
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack 

  • Wests Tigers have won three of their four Magic Round games.
  • Dolphins winger Jack Bostock has scored seven tries in his past seven games.
  • Wests Tigers have won only two of their past seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
  •  The Dolphins have the second highest tries per game average in the NRL (4.9 per game).
  • Wests Tigers captain Api Koroisau will play his 200th NRL game.

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

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.