Wests Tigers v Dragons
SFS
Sunday 3pm
THE match might not be at the Sydney Cricket Ground as originally planned but the closeness of the contest might just inspire those at the Pura Cup cricket final who might be nodding off to wander on over for the 80 minutes.
When these two sides meet, excitement is usually on the menu, with attack the key ingredient. So those cricket fans that prefer the bash and barge of 20/20 or the one-day version of the game will probably be better served in Bay 13 of the SFS than the SCG.
And those true blue league fans that have waited all off-season to see their side unleashed – don’t miss this one.
Neither side has been a focal point for the experts’ pre-season predictions; most pundits believe these sides will once again finish outside the top half of the competition – but that fact alone will have both squads desperate to get off on the front foot.
The Dragons enter round one on the back of a trial win against the Bulldogs (40-30) and a loss to South Sydney (24-20) in the Charity Shield, while the Tigers are yet to register a win this year – falling to the Roosters (34-28) in the Foundation Cup and the Gold Coast Titans (32-4) in their final trial.
This form has seen the Dragons enter the contest as favourites but the Red V are notoriously bad starters, having won their opening match of the year in just two of their nine seasons as a joint venture.
Watch out Wests Tigers: The Dragons’ new captain Mark Gasnier is primed for a huge match. He was impressive in his time in the trials but the recent Kings Cross controversy has him further steeled to perform on the big stage.
After missing most of last season as well, Gasnier needs to earn the respect of his team-mates once again by leading the way.
If he doesn’t end this game with at least one line break it will be a miracle. It will also be interesting to see former Tiger Jarrod Saffy rip in if he makes the bench cull.
Watch out Dragons: The wing combination of the Wests Tigers is awesome. Taniela Tuiaki and Peni Tagive are huge men who will make life difficult for the much slighter Jason Nightingale and Brett Morris. Tuiaki, who tips the scales at 105 kilograms, was awesome last year.
Debutant Tagive, a former Australian schoolboy of Fijian descent, is 192 centimetres tall and weighs 97 kilograms at just 19. Tim Sheens is a smart coach; he’ll have hatched a few ways for this pair to put their authority on the match.
Also watch for Corey Payne to dish out some of his surname to his former team-mates.
Where it will be won: The speed of the game is critical. The Dragons aren’t usually afraid to play up-tempo but with the new interchange laws and a Tigers’ side full of talent like Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence, they will need to dominate the rucks to win this one.
If you slow the Tigers down by dominating the tackles you eliminate their effectiveness.
John Morris is a solid player, but not a natural halfback, and without time and space he can be rushed into mistakes.
But if the Tigers can get rolling, Morris and Marshall will no doubt weave some magic and the score could get away from the Dragons before they know it.
As such, referee Sean Hampstead could have a major influence. Usually one of the more lenient referees in ruck speed, Hampstead’s interpretation could prove crucial.
The History: Played 15; Wests Tigers 7, Dragons 8. The Wests Tigers have come out on top in four of the past five clashes between the clubs and have won both matches played at the SFS.
Conclusion: Tough one to call. Gasnier has shown enough class in the pre-season to suggest he could win this match on his own but if Robbie Farah continues his 2007 form into this year and the Tigers get some confidence early, they are more than a good chance of winning this contest.
The Dragons still struggle to play ‘dirty’, preferring the flashy brilliance, but the Tigers can match them on that note so anything is possible. Could be a high-scoring affair with some classic tries – the kind of match that’s always worth watching but a nightmare to tip.
Match officials: Referee – Sean Hampstead; Sideline Officials – Bernard Sutton & Jeff Younis; Video ref – Steve Clark.
Televised: Channel 9 – Delayed 4pm; Fox Sports 2 – Delayed 6pm.
Statistics: NRL Stats.
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=50028
