Match Preview: Magic Round vs Dolphins

Author: Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Fri 17 May 2024, 10:10 AM

Wests Tigers return to Suncorp Stadium to face the Dolphins in Magic Round, six weeks after losing to the same side at the same venue.

Round 11 - Round 11 - Sunday 19 May

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Dolphins

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Highlights Latest

Much has changed since that Round 5 match-up which saw the Dolphins claim a 26-16 victory, with just seven members from the starting side that night in the run-on side on Sunday.

One of them is captain Api Koroisau who will make his 200th NRL appearance.

Koroisau runs out for his 199th NRL game against the Knights in Tamworth

It will also be a special and familiar occasion for the Fainu family, with Sione in line to make his NRL debut.

Sione presented with his NRL jersey with his family by his side at the Zurich Centre

The 22-year-old forward was a keen spectator when these team’s met last month, having driven his family from Sydney to Suncorp to watch his youngest brother, Latu, make his own NRL debut.

Fainu bothers: (L-R) Samuela, Latu and Sione at Suncorp for Round 5 v Dolphins

This time Sione will fly to Brisbane with his teammates, and alongside him on Sunday when he becomes Wests Tigers Player #284, will be his other younger brother, Samuela, WT Player #280.

Both teams head into Magic Round in contrasting form. Wests Tigers are desperate to halt a six-game losing streak which started against the Dolphins in Round 5, while the Phins have won three of their last four, including back-to-back wins over the Sea Eagles and Cowboys.

In team news, Fainu and Asu Kepaoa are the two forwards added to the squad as cover for Isaiah Papali’i (suspended) and John Bateman (pectoral), with Alex Seyfarth and Alex Twal elevated to the run-on side.

The absence of Starford To’a (hamstring) sees Brent Naden shift back into the centres, with Solomon Alaimalo returning to the side on the wing for his third NRL appearance.

Tabuai-Fidow in Round 6 vs Broncos before hamstring injury

The Dolphins welcome back fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's from a hamstring injury while Kenny Bromwich returns to the starting side at lock in place of Max Plath (head knock).

Round 11 - Round 11 - Sunday 19 May

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Dolphins

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: 6/3/2024 4:46:13 AM

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.