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Dragons v Dolphins: Shoulder sidelines Lomax; Hammer to miss clash

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pan66.com
Timestamp

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.

The Origin representatives have three full days to recover from Game Two but Tabuai-Fidow and Zac Lomax won't be playing.

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Team News

Dragons: No late changes after coach Shane Flanagan confirmed on Saturday that Origin rep Zac Lomax would be rested as he nurses a shoulder injury. Christian Tuipulotu has come in on the wing. Maroons reps Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su’A have been named in the run-on side and are set to play. Ryan Couchman is 18th man.

Dolphins: A late chance sees Felise Kaufusi named to start at prop after playing just 10 minutes for the Maroons on Wednesday, with Kenny Bromwich shifting to the bench. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (shoulder) will miss the clash after picking up an AC injury in Origin II, bringing Trai Fuller back into the side at fullback. 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. Kurt Donoghoe came onto the bench on Saturday with Ray Stone making way. Josh Kerr is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
    Fullback for Dolphins is number 21 Trai Fuller
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mathew Feagai
    Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
    Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Max Feagai
    Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
  • Winger for Dragons is number 19 Christian Tuipulotu
    Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Tesi Niu
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
    Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
    Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
    Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
    Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy  Marshall-King
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jack De Belin
    Prop for Dolphins is number 14 Felise Kaufusi
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Euan Aitken
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth
    Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Max Plath

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Blake Lawrie
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 10 Kenneath Bromwich
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ben Murdoch-Masila
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark Nicholls
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Tevita Pangai Junior 
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 20 Kurt Donoghoe

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dragons is number 20 Ryan Couchman
    Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Josh Kerr

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated:

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,  

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