Neds Match Preview: Round 3
Wests Tigers will be looking to make it three wins from three to start 2019 this Sunday afternoon when they take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
After a dominant Round 2 performance that saw Wests Tigers move to the top of the Telstra Premiership ladder for the first time in club history, the side will be looking to build off this momentum under Head Coach Michael Maguire this weekend.
The visitors come in to this week's game with a different form line; beltings at the hands of the Warriors and Eels see the Bulldogs on the bottom of the ladder and producing their worst start to a season since 1971. Not since the launch of the NRL competition following the Super League split have the Bulldogs ever lost their first three games to start a season, with their 1996 side the last team to record that stat.
Historically, there is some history to suggest that Wests Tigers enjoy taking on the Bulldogs with the two biggest wins in club history coming against the Canterbury side. However, having said that, the statistics also show that the Bulldogs are undefeated against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown with five straight wins.
In terms of team news, there's no changes to a winning side for Coach Michael Maguire following Moses Mbye's successful return from injury last week. David Nofoaluma (shoulder) remains sidelined, so Corey Thompson, Robert Jennings, Esan Marsters and Mahe Fonua all retain their spots in the backline.
NRL.com preview Bulldogs clash
Bulldogs Coach Dean Pay has rung in a host of changes with fullback Nick Meaney, forward Corey Harawira-Naera and winger Jayden Okunbor have all promoted to the run-on side. Will Hopoate has moved to the centres, while Rhyse Martin, Chris Smith and Ofahiki Ogden are the new faces on the bench for the visitors.
Winger Christian Chrichton has been dropped, while Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Marcelo Montoya and Sauaso Sue have been demoted to the reserves.
Wests Tigers fans and Members are in for another triple-header of rugby league action at the suburban ground on Sunday with the club's Jersey Flegg (12:00pm), Canterbury Cup (1:55pm) and NRL (4:00pm) sides all taking on the Bulldogs.
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Sunday, March 31, 2019
Time — 4:05pm AEST
Venue — Campbelltown Sports Stadium
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Live via FOX League (Ch.502) and Channel Nine
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 2GB 873, FM Triple M 104.9, NRL Nation
Live Stream — Foxtel Go, KAYO, 9Now, NRL Digital Pass, Watch NRL (int.)
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Wests Tigers — No changes expected to last week's team that beat the Warriors.
Bulldogs — Nick Meaney, Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor all start, while Rhyse Martin, Chris Smith and Ofahiki Ogden all join the bench. Don't be surprised to see Martin move to the run-on side with Josh Jackson going to lock.
Match: Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
Round 3 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses MbyeFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick Meaney
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Mahe FonuaWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jayden Okunbor
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Robert JenningsCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Kerrod Holland
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Esan MarstersCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Will Hopoate
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Corey ThompsonWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Reimis Smith
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji MarshallFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Kieran Foran
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke BrooksHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Lewis
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Ben MatulinoProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Aiden Tolman
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie FarahHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex TwalProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan Napa
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Ryan Matterson2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luke Garner2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Elijah TaylorLock for Bulldogs is number 16 Rhyse Martin
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Russell PackerInterchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Adam Elliott
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Michael Lichaa
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Josh AloiaiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Ofahiki Ogden
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Michael Chee KamInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Chris Smith
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Referee: Gavin Badger
- Touch Judge: Tim Roby
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
LATEST NEDS ODDS
H2H — Wests Tigers ($1.42), Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs ($2.80)
Line — Wests Tigers -7.5 ($1.90), Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs + 7.5 ($1.90)
Odds correct on Friday, March 27 — 18+ only and gamble responsibly
Getting ready to take on the Bulldogs!
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Overall — Played 34, Bulldogs 21, Wests Tigers 13
At Campbelltown Sports Stadium — Played 5, Bulldogs 5, Wests Tigers 0
Last Time They Met — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 16 def. Wests Tigers 4
MATCH OFFICIALS
Match Referees — Grant Atkins and Gavin Badger
Touch Judges — Rickey McFarlane and Tim Roby
Review Officials — Steve Chiddy and Bryan Norrie
