After taking the Storm to the wire in Round 16 the Dolphins will be desperate to reclaim their spot in the top four when they face the Dragons on Sunday.
In the absence of star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, veteran forward Felise Kaufusi and losing Jack Bostock to an early HIA, Wayne Bennett’s side showed great resilience to kick out to an early lead at Suncorp Stadium but went down 30-24 in the end.
The Dragons, meanwhile, head into Round 17 refreshed from the bye and with a chance to climb into the top eight for the first time since Round 1.
With three full days for their Origin representatives to recover from Game Two, Bennett and Shane Flanagan will be hoping to welcome their stars back, with Dragons trio Zac Lomax, Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su’A all named to play on Wednesday.
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Team News
Dragons: Following the bye last week Moses Suli returns to the centres and bumps Christian Tuipulotu out of the 17. There could be other changes to the backline yet too, with Jack Bird included in the reserves as he works back from a knee injury. Maroons reps Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su’A and Blues winger Zac Lomax are all named in the run-on side.
Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is named to start at fullback on the back of Origin Two, with veteran forward Felise Kaufusi included on the bench. Tesi Niu comes in on the wing for Jack Bostock (concussion). Tevita Pangai junior will again come off the bench after getting through 38 minutes in his NRL return last week.
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Stat Attack
- The Dragons have conceded 122 points in their past four games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
- The Dolphins have won five from seven away from home this season.
- Dragons winger Zac Lomax has scored 48 points in his last two home games.
- Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored nine tries in his past seven games.
- Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will take charge of his 200th game as NRL coach.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.