Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 23 match is between Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra Dragons. The opening kick is set to commence at 17:30 local time with the game to be played at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney. The away team St George Illawarra Dragons are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra Dragons.
When: 17:30 | Saturday 18/08/2018
Where: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Preview:
The Tigers are making a move for a September run.
Due to their mid-year slump, their task is a fraction harder but not unachievable.
They’re playing at their spiritual ground against a Dragons outfit that looks like their wheels have fallen off in addition to losing their star five-eighth Gareth Widdop to a shoulder injury.
I expect the Dragons to play hard and compete as they have done all year, but feel they will come up short.
Some of the individuals at the Tigers have been outstanding like Michael Chee Kam and his performance last week with 145m and a try has definitely helped the Tigers.
The young guys have definitely made a difference and will again be called upon.
KEY BATTLE: Esan Marsters v Tim Lafai
Two centres have been excellent in 2018.
Expect plenty happening for these two.
The Verdict
I feel this game will be another close one, however I like the Tigers and feel they can sniff out another upset in their charge home.
A possible outcome could put them in the top 8 with two more games to play.
As an underdog, the Dragons are 7-9-0 over the last two seasons.
Unibet Odds:
Wests Tigers at $1.81
St George Illawarra Dragons at $2.00
Odds:
Tip: St George Illawarra Dragons at $2.25
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Matthew Dufty at $12.00
More Info:
Teams:
Wests Tigers:
1. Moses Mbye 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Mahe Fonua 5. Kevin Naiqama 6. Benji Marshall (C) 7. Luke Brooks 8. Russell Packer 9. Robbie Farah 10. Ben Matulino 11. Chris Lawrence 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Elijah Taylor Interchange 14. Alex Twal 15. Sauaso Sue 16. Luke Garner 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Jacob Liddle 19. Robbie Rochow 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.
St George Illawarra Dragons: 
1. Matthew Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Euan Aitken 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Kurt Mann 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Jacob Host 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Zac Lomax 19. Jai Field 20. Hame Sele 21. Darren Nicholls.
NRL News:
He’s the man placed firmly under the spotlight at the most under-pressure club in the NRL, but Ben Hunt insists he’s felt it all before and worse while at Brisbane.
Brought to St George Illawarra on a lengthy $6 million deal at the start of the year, Hunt’s form has largely represented that of the Dragons.
He was the NRL’s best half while the Dragons were ladder-leaders in the opening half of the season, before he endured a difficult State of Origin campaign for Queensland and his performances have since suffered.
Never has the criticism been more scathing than this week after he failed to make a single run after five-eighth Gareth Widdop was injured in Saturday’s 40-4 flogging to last placed Parramatta.
But after having been put through the wringer and battling for his No.7 jersey at the Broncos, Hunt said the pressure now wasn’t such a big deal.
“I personally feel like there has been more spotlight when I was in Brisbane,” Hunt said.
“Being a one-club town all the media up there is all just focused on the one team. You’re sort of in the middle of it.
“Being down here it feels a bit more laid back with the spotlight. You get a little bit, but I feel like Brisbane is a lot more.
“I’ve always felt like I was pretty good at handling the pressure, and I always felt there was more pressure in Brisbane than down here.”
The 28-year-old says he’s ready to step up in the absence of Widdop, who is expected to miss at least three weeks with a shoulder injury.
With the lesser experienced Kurt Mann named alongside Hunt for Sunday’s clash with the Wests Tigers – he’ll haver to.
The pair have mostly only trained in the halves together during the pre-season, but now have just six days to prepare for one of the most important games of the Dragons’ season.
“It’s a big blow to the side with how good of a player Gareth is,” Hunt said.
“But it’s a bit of a challenge for myself personally – I’ve got to lead the team around a bit more now and step my game up a bit.”
