Match Preview: NRL Round 8 vs. Bulldogs

Wests Tigers will look to bounce back from a disappointing loss last Sunday against the Raiders when they take on the Canterbury Bulldogs this Friday night.

Leading 22-0 mid-way through the first half, Wests Tigers were unable to finish off their opponents on the day, who fought back to eventually take the match 30-22 and leave Jason Taylor’s side with back-to-back defeats heading into their Round 8 clash.

By the time Friday rolls around, it will have been just under a month since the two sides last met, with the Bulldogs clawing their way back from a 24-6 deficit late in the piece to send the match to Golden Point, where a Moses Mbye field goal sealed the win for Des Hasler’s side. That result — combined with the performance from last week — will no doubt still be fresh in the minds of Wests Tigers, and they’ll be desperate to ensure they bounce back with an 80-minute performance, heading into the international break next weekend.

Who will leave at ANZ Stadium on the night with the two competition points? Read on for a full match preview including key team news, details, facts, stats and much more!

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Match Details

Date — Friday, April 24, 2015

Time — 7:45pm local time (Gates open at 5:25pm)

Venue — ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park

Match Officials

Referees — Jared Maxwell and Gavin Badger

Touch Judges — Russell Turner and Rick Macfarlane

Video Refs — Shayne Hayne and Luke Phillips

TV, Live Stream and Radio Information

TV — Live coverage via Channel 9 (check local guides)

Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand and FM 104.9 Triple M (check local guides)

Live Stream —NRL Digital Pass (subscription required)

Confirmed Squads

With Keith Galloway sidelined due to a shoulder injury, Matt Lodge returns for his first game in the NRL since suffering an injury in Round 2. Ava Seumanufagai takes Galloway’s place in the front row while Delouise Hoeter has been added to an extended bench.

For the Bulldogs, Josh Morris returns in the centres, pushing Moses Mbye back to the bench, while Tim Browne and Sam Kasiano return to the starting side as well. Danny Fulalo, Antonio Kafusi and Herman Ese’ese have been added on an extended bench.

2015 Recent Results

Wests Tigers

R3 — South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 def. Wests Tigers 6

R4 — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 25 def. Wests Tigers 24

R5 — Wests Tigers 22 def. Parramatta Eels 6

R6 — New Zealand Warriors 32 def. Wests Tigers 22

R7 — Canberra Raiders 30 def. Wests Tigers 22

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

R3 — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 32 def. Parramatta Eels 12

R4 — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 25 def. Wests Tigers 24

R5 — South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 def. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 17

R6 — St. George-Illawarra Dragons 31 def. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 6

R7 — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 16

Match History

·       Against the Bulldogs — Played 28, Lost 18, Won 10

·       At ANZ Stadium — Played 16, Lost 10, Won 6

Three Key Facts

•     Pat Richards has scored seven tries in seven games so far this year, and currently leads the NRL in tries (equal first, 7) and points (outright first, 61).

•     Curtis Rona leads the league in line-breaks this year with eight.

•     Wests Tigers have scored 22 points in all of their past three matches.

2015 Key Player Stats