Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 3 clash between the Dolphins and Wests Tigers.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Dolphins Vs Wests Tigers
Venue: Kayo Stadium
Date: Saturday March 22, 5:30pm (ADST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Oryn Keeley 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Josh Kerr 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Max Feagai 20. Kenny Bromwich 21. Jack Bostock 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Latu Fainu 19. Heath Mason 20. Charlie Staines 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Solomona Faataape
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Wests Tigers head to the spiritual home of the Dolphins at Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium for a Saturday evening clash trying to build on their first win of the season against Parramatta. The Dolphins are yet to win this season in two attempts and were quite disappointing against Newcastle, never looking likely in the game.
The Dolphins may be currently deflecting any suggestions of post Wayne Bennett blues, but with every loss comes more reality that it could be another team to struggle after Wayne Bennett leaves. Given the Dolphins face Brisbane, Penrith and Melbourne over the next four rounds, a 0-3 record to start the season after a relatively easy run will make that push for a first finals berth more unlikely.
There are some reinforcements for the Dolphins this weekend, with the likely return of both Jack Bostock and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. Both have been named outside of the top 17 but are expected to play. Bostock is a boost for the Dolphins because of his effectiveness for cross field kicks in both attack and defense. Off season recruit Finefeuiaki returns after sitting out Round 2 with injury. He was one of the Dolphins best in their opening round clash against South Sydney, providing some real firepower down the side.
The Dolphins need something after looking short on ideas and enthusiasm last weekend.
Wests Tigers have named the same 17 players that defeated Parramatta so handsomely on Sunday, but there is doubt over fullback Jahream Bula with a foot injury, but have cover in Heath Mason, who did the job in Round 1. Those 17 players deserve to keep their spot after the 32-6 win on Sunday, turning in the kind of performance that Tigers fans, and a bunch of neutrals would have been hoping for in this new incarnation of the Tigers.
Terrell May is looking like a better recruit with every game, and having Adam Doueihi back from injury and firing helps. Lachlan Galvin too played well, and hopefully the Tigers can keep him. Jarome Luai hasn’t hit peak form yet for the Tigers, but will soon no doubt, and that’s trouble for opposition. His fellow Penrith recruit Sunia Turuva helped himself to a hat trick against the Eels.
The battle in the halves is a key one for the match. The Dolphins duo wore a lot of social media blame for the Dolphins loss last weekend, but it was an all-round shocker so fans needed to be a bit kinder. But the Dolphins do need a better plan for their final plays of a set than a bomb, and there appeared to be little spark in attack.
Dolphins are undefeated in two games versus the Tigers in Queensland, but are yet to meet at Kayo Stadium. Dolphins are also three wins from four games at Redcliffe versus Sydney teams.
The Tigers meanwhile don’t like the sunshine state as they have lost their last five games in Queensland versus Qld teams and seven of their last eight. Tigers have lost eight away games in a row on a Saturday. Away from home on any day they have won twice in their last 21 away games. But that might just be the old Tigers.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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