![Match Preview: Magic Round vs Dolphins](/siteassets/2024/05/15/wt2024_match-preview_rd11_web-1.jpg?center=0.22%2C0.47&preset=hero-primary-wide)
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.
Match: Wests Tigers v Dolphins
Round 11 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
15th Position
away Team
Dolphins
4th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
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](/siteassets/2024/05/15/74633166_koroisau-apisai-240511-hkm_7147_2024512191256.jpg?center=0.29%2C0.5&preset=photo-inline)
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](/siteassets/2024/05/15/109a0010.jpg?center=0.27%2C0.45&preset=photo-inline)
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](/siteassets/2024/05/15/74208391_fainu_s_fainu_l_debut_240406_cd_2948_20244619236.jpg?center=0.19%2C0.5&preset=photo-inline)
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](/siteassets/2024/05/15/74260734_tabuai-fidow-h-240412_zm_dsc_2755_202441219430.jpg?center=0.25%2C0.53&preset=photo-inline)
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).
Match: Wests Tigers v Dolphins
Round 11 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Dolphins
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie StainesWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Brent NadenCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Solomon AlaimaloWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan GalvinFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jayden SullivanHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David KlemmerProp for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Euan Aitken
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 16 Asu Kepaoa2nd Row for Dolphins is number 17 Connelly Lemuelu
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath Bromwich
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 12 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Dolphins is number 10 Mark Nicholls
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake SimpkinInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Fonua PoleInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Kurt Donoghoe
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Sione FainuInterchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tallyn Da SilvaReplacement 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:
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.