Neds Match Preview: Round 21
If Wests Tigers are to be playing finals footy in 2021, beating Canterbury-Bankstown on Sunday afternoon is non-negotiable.
Two wins outside the top eight with five rounds to play, Wests Tigers know the importance of their Round 21 clash against the last-placed Bulldogs.
Michael Maguire’s men will be eager to turn their fortunes around following last week’s disappointing loss to the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.
With Daine Laurie ruled out for the remainder of the season with a broken leg, Moses Mbye has been tasked with wearing the number one on his back — a position he’s more than comfortable in filling, having spent majority of the pre-season there before Laurie arrived at the club.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will be looking to snap a six-game losing streak and will need plenty of improvement following Monday’s 34-6 loss to Gold Coast.
Trent Barrett’s men, who have won just two games this season, have scored the fewest points (242) and conceded the most (600) across the competition in 2021.
CONFIRMED TEAM LISTS
Bulldogs: Rookie Bailey Biondi-Odo will get his first NRL start at five-eighth with Jake Averillo shifting to halfback. The only late change to the side is Dylan Napa starting in the front row, with Ava Seumanufagai coming off the bench. Rookie outside back Watson Heleta has been named as 18th Man.
Wests Tigers: No late changes with Moses Mbye shifting to fullback for Daine Laurie. James Tamou and Thomas Mikaele both return in a boost for the forward pack, while Zac Cini comes on to the bench for his first game since Round 9.
Match: Bulldogs v Wests Tigers
Round 21 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Corey AllanWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will HopoateCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Michael Chee Kam
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Aaron SchouppCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Tommy Talau
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Falakiko ManuWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo
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Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Bailey Biondi-OdoFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi
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Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Jake AverilloHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Jack HetheringtonProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
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Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob Liddle
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 15 Dylan NapaProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 James Tamou
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Shawn Blore
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Adam Elliott2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
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Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh JacksonLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Thomas Mikaele
Interchange
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 8 Ava SeumanufagaiInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Alex Twal
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Sione KatoaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Zac Cini
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Chris PatoloInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Joe Ofahengaue
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Matt DooreyInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Kelma Tuilagi
Reserves
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Reserve for Bulldogs is number 25 Watson HeletaReserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tukimihia Simpkins
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Sunday, 8th August, 2021
Time — 1:50pm AEST
Venue — Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — FOX League (Ch.502)
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 873 2GB
Live Stream — KAYO Sports, Watch NRL (int.)
LATEST NEDS ODDS
Head-to-Head — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ($2.70), Wests Tigers ($1.46)
Line — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs +6.5 ($1.90), Wests Tigers -6.5 ($1.90)
Odds correct as of 1:30pm, Tuesday, 3rd August. 18+ only, Gamble responsibly.
HISTORY
Head-to-Head — Played 40, Canterbury-Bankstown 23, Wests Tigers 15, Draw 2
At Cbus Super Stadium — Yet to play at venue
Last Time They Met —Wests Tigers 29 def. Canterbury-Bankstown 28 (Rd.14, 2020)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee — Chris Butler
Touch Judges — Belinda Sharpe & Wyatt Raymond
Bunker Review Official — Henry Perenara
