NSW Origin lock Tyson Frizell was taken from the field with a rib injury as St George Illawarra held on for a 16-12 NRL win over the Wests Tigers.

The Blues starting forward was injured attempting a tackle on Tim Grant midway through the second half and played no further part in Saturday’s game at ANZ Stadium.

The blow comes just two-and-a-half weeks out from State of Origin II.

It’s the second time Frizell has had a rib problem this year.

He also failed to return against Manly in round six with a similar issue, but did not miss any matches.

In a further concern for the Blues, Josh Dugan appeared to suffer a knee injury late in the match and required attention from trainers, but stayed on the field as the Dragons survived a late scare.

Trailing 12-2 at half-time and 16-6 with five minutes to play, the Tigers had a chance to steal it late after Michael Chee Kam crossed to narrow the margin.

But they were unable to cross in a last-ditch set to suffer their fourth-straight loss.

Dragons captain Gareth Widdop had earlier scored two first-half tries on return from a five-week knee-injury layoff.

While in periods the Dragons’ attack lacked the same cohesion from before Widdop’s injury, he had no trouble on his feet.

The Englishman opened the scoring in the 13th minute when he dummied twice then straightened to beat the Tigers’ defence, before he went 60 metres after scooping up a loose ball to have the Dragons’ second try 16 minutes later.

Opposition five-eighth Tuimoala Lolohea endured a difficult afternoon in his debut for the Tigers.

After arriving from the Warriors earlier this week and without regular halfback Luke Brooks, Lolohea looked dangerous at times with ball in hand.

However, he also threw an intercept, put a kick off out on the full and was caught out of position in the lead up to Frizell’s 50th-minute try.

Aaron Woods ran 183 metres and James Tedesco busted 10 tackles for the Tigers just three days after backing up from Origin I, while the fullback also provided a long final pass for his side’s first try through Kevin Naiqama in the second half.

However, it proved to no avail, as the Dragons moved up the second on the NRL ladder.