Match Preview: NRL Round 5 vs Dolphins

Author: Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Thu 4 Apr 2024, 02:13 PM

Wests Tigers head to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night to face the Dolphins in Round 5 of the Telstra Premiership.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 6 Apr

Full Time

Dolphins

Wests Tigers

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Highlights Latest

Like the Dolphins, the Tigers are one of six teams leading the way on six competition points through the first four rounds of the season. Also like the Dolphins, Wests Tigers have two wins, one loss and a bye to their name.

The other similarity sees both teams having to make a forced change to their lineup because of ‘hip drop’ sanctions.

Fins lock Max Plath and Tigers five-eighth Lachlan Galvin have both been rubbed out for two weeks for indiscretions in Round 4.

The Dolphins first of ten games at Suncorp this season resulted in a heavy loss to the Cowboys in Round 1. They have since flogged the Dragons and beaten the Titans, to be sitting at the top of the ladder on for and against.

Wests Tigers also lost their first game of the season to the Raiders before impressive victories over the Sharks and the Eels.

Fainu playing NSW Cup for Wests Magpies on Easter Monday

In team news, Wests Tigers will hand a debut to 18-year-old half Latu Fainu, who comes into the squad in the absence of Galvin, with Jayden Sullivan the new five-eighth.

Fainu will be joined on the bench by older brother Samuela, who is also in his first season at the club. He will become the third player in the team to make his NRL debut this season becoming Wests Tigers Player #282.

Alex Twal also returns to the side as an interchange after being rested last round (HIA protocol).

Plath’s two-game ban sees Ray Stone move into the starting side for the Dolphins with Kenny Bromwich joining the bench.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 6 Apr

Full Time

Dolphins

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jayden Sullivan
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer

Forwards

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Thomas Flegler

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Euan Aitken

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
Lock for Dolphins is number 17 Kenneath Bromwich

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole

Interchange

Interchange for Dolphins is number 13 Ray Stone

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu
Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal
Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Mark Nicholls

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Samuela Fainu

Reserves

Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Oryn Keeley

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Brent Naden

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:48 PM

Fast Facts:

The Dolphins have won only one of their past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
Wests Tigers will be aiming for three consecutive wins for the first time since 2018.
Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako has scored five tries in his past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
The Tigers have won only two of their past 11 games in Queensland.
Dolphins prop Thomas Flegler will make his 100th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton