DRAGONS v TIGERS: Teams have been named for the round 18 clash between St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers. DRAGONS v TIGERS: Teams have been named for the round 18 clash between St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers. DRAGONS v TIGERS 4.10pm Sunday at Jubilee Oval Dragons 1. Matt Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop (c) 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jack de Belin Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore, 15. Kurt Mann, 16. Leeson Ah Mau, 17. Luciano Leilua Players cut: 18. Patrick Herbert, 19. Hame Sele, 20. Blake Lawrie, 21. Reece Robson, 22. Jai Field, 23. Darren Nicholls Late mail: The Dragons’ five Origin players — Ben Hunt, Jack de Belin, Paul Vaughan, Tyson Frizell and Tariq Sims — got through the game unscathed and will all back up. Tigers 1. Moses Mbye 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Corey Thompson 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Russell Packer (c) 9. Robbie Farah 10. Ben Matulino 11. Chris Lawrence 12. Josh Aloiai 13. Elijah Taylor Interchange: 15. Suaso Sue, 16. Michael Chee Kam, 17. Matt Eisenhuth, 19. Luke Garner Players cut: 14. Alex Twal. 18. Jacob Liddle, 19. Luke Garner, 20. Tim Grant, 21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak Late mail: Alex Twal drops out of the team with Luke Garner to make his NRL debut off the bench.<doc-sep>Robbie Farah was impressive for the Tigers. ROBBIE Farah turned back the clock with a brilliant performance to lead the Wests Tigers to a shock 20-16 win over the Dragons. It was Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah’s first game together for the Wests Tigers since 2013, after Marshall returned from injury. Farah was typically busy in running for 42 metres to go with two linebreak assists, two try assist and 42 tackles in a complete performance. LIVE Stream every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. SIGN UP NOW. Marshall struggled with his running game only managing four metres, but he was unlucky to not have a try-assist after it was called back for a forward pass in the first half. Marshall also produced a try-saving tackle on Tariq Sims in the 50th minute. However, the combination of Farah, Marshall and Luke Brooks needs time to gell with Brooks requiring more ball, according to Fox League expert Braith Anasta. “There was always a concern with Robbie Farah coming back into the side, how much that would take away from Luke Brooks,” Anasta said. “Farah and the combination with Marshall over a long period of time, already Farah is going to Marshall predominantly. “Wherever Farah is, he is throwing the ball to Marshall and Farah is being pretty dominant out of dummyhalf. “I think they have to give some more responsibility to Brooks. “At the start of the year Brooks was their key playmaker, he was dominant and that’s when he was shining and the Tigers were at their best.” However, if Farah maintains this sort of form and improves his combination with Brooks, the Tigers can make a run at a finals berth. The Dragons were disappointing in front of their home crowd and face the possibility of dropping out of the top four, with the Panthers and Sharks nipping at their heels. They did produce a stirring second half comeback, but it proved to be too little, too late. The Report The Tigers looked to have opened the scoring when Kevin Naiqama pounced on a Luke Brooks grubber in the fifth minute, but replays revealed he lost control of the ball. The Tigers were not to be denied a second time however, with Luke Brooks opening the scoring with a try in the 11th minute. Esan Marsters made no mistake with the conversion to hand the Tigers a handy 6-0 lead early. However, it didn’t last long with Ben Hunt strolling through for a try five minutes later. Gareth Widdop locked up the scores at 6-6, after nailing the relatively simple conversion. Returning Origin hero Paul Vaughan looked to have given the home side the lead when he barged through to score, but it was called back for a forward pass from James Graham. Benji Marshall looked to have put the Tigers ahead just before halftime, but his last pass was called forward in a tough call for the visitors. Jason Nightingale then produced a bone rattling hit on Naiqama to deny the Tigers and the scores remained locked up at the break. The Tigers started the second half the better with Moses Mbye setting up Corey Thompson for the visitors’ second try. Marsters made it two goals from as many attempts to give the Tigers a 12-6 lead. The Tigers extended their lead when Farah skipped through a gap, before grubbering for David Nofoaluma to score. Marsters slotted the conversion to give the Tigers a commanding 18-6 lead, with 20 minutes to play. Marsters then kicked a penalty goal to extend the Tigers lead beyond two converted tries at 20-6. Gareth Widdop then produced a scintillating try, after latching on to a Ben Hunt chip kick to get the home side back in the contest. Widdop made no mistake with the simple conversion to close the gap to 20-12 with nine minutes to play. Matt Dufty then scored with five minutes to play to set up a grandstand finish. Widdop missed the conversion and the scores remained 20-16. The Dragons threw everything at the Tigers in the final minutes, but they held on for a crucial victory to keep their season alive. Wests Tigers 20 (Brooks, Thompson, Nofoaluma tries; Marsters 4 goals) def. Dragons 16 (Hunt, Widdop, Dufty tries; Widdop 2 goals)<doc-sep>Surely, Gareth Widdop has lost a bet regarding his home nation and their World Cup exit. When the classy five-eighth turned up to Jubilee Oval on Sunday afternoon for the Dragons' clash against the Wests Tigers, fans noticed something a little bit different about the Englishman. He had dyed his hair peroxide blonde. The man who is one of the Dally M favourites in 2018 sure copped it from Twitter, with some interesting comparisons being made by pundits.. Slim Shady is the best so far. Is that Gareth Widdop or Slim Shady #pleasestandup — Shaun Hellyer (@hellyeah09) July 15, 2018 MORE: International rugby league: Inward looking Australia needs to think global Whatever the colour of his hair, it didn't appear to affect his brilliant play. The Red V have the chance to join South Sydney atop the NRL ladder, all that stands in their way is a rejuvenated Wests Tigers outfit including new (old) fan favourite Robbie Farah. Midway through the first half, the game was tied at 6-apiece with both halfbacks, Luke Brooks and Ben Hunt, scoring their teams four-pointer. Widdop kicked a 40/20 that put his club into a great attacking position, however, the Dragons were unable to capitalise. But, enough about the game, let's focus on the real issue. Widdop's hair. Here are some of the best hot takes from Twitter. Both are great leaders. Both have struggled through hard times. Both have Dragons. Both have fabulous silver hair. @garethwiddop Targaryen theory confirmed. #RedV pic.twitter.com/KflQfpWmEo — Dat Dragons Dude (@dragonsfan1988) July 13, 2018 #NRL Gareth Widdop as a blonde is...uhh....interesting... — We Need a Sports News Fact Checker (@crowdiegal) July 14, 2018 Gareth Widdop looks like a shitty DJ who sells poor quality party drugs on the side — Random Footy Facts (@footyfacts37) July 15, 2018 Gareth Widdop looks like the villain in a John Wick movie — Random Footy Facts (@footyfacts37) July 15, 2018 Gareth Widdop looks like he tells stories about doing cocaine with Steve Seagal that everyone knows aren't true — Random Footy Facts (@footyfacts37) July 15, 2018 Gareth Widdop looks like a guy who corrects your pronunciation when you say "Ibiza" — Random Footy Facts (@footyfacts37) July 15, 2018 Gareth Widdop looks like a failed applicant for a reboot of Geordie Shore — Random Footy Facts (@footyfacts37) July 15, 2018<doc-sep>
Match result: The Wests Tigers have held on for an upset win over the St George Illawarra Dragons. Final score St George Illawarra Dragons 16 Wests Tigers 20 Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit Email Share Match preview: Will the Dragons silence their critics and consolidate their position in the top four? Or will the Tigers keep their slim finals hopes alive? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 4:10pm (AEST). Paul McGregor will be wanting a serious improvement from his men in defence as they look to bounce back from last week’s 52-30 loss to Melbourne. While the Dragons may have been missing a host of Origin stars for the game, it was no excuse for conceding nine tries. What would have been more disappointing was the fact that the Saints led 30-28 with 15 minutes left, only to let in four tries within the space of nine minutes. Fortunately for the home side, all of their Origin combatants are expected to play against the Tigers. Ivan Cleary’s men may still be in finals contention, yet a loss this week would all but distinguish their hopes of making it to September. The Tigers currently sit six points short of the eighth-placed Warriors and will face the Dragons and Rabbitohs twice in their run home. Cleary’s side has recently squandered two winnable games against the Raiders and Titans. With both matches well and truly in the balance at the break, the Tigers suffered heavy defeats. In fact, in the past two rounds, Wests have failed to have scored any points in the second forty and have conceded 56. There are a host of changes for the Tigers. Benji Marshall replaces Josh Reynolds at five-eighth while David Nofoaluma returns on the wing in place of Malakai Watene-Zelezniak. Ben Matulino is also back at prop with Alex Twal going to the bench. Josh Aloiai moves into the starting second row with Chris McQueen dropping out. Prediction This is a danger game for the Dragons given that the Tigers will be desperate to stay in the finals race. However, having been embarrassed by the Storm last week, the home side will be motivated to once again prove themselves genuine premiership contenders. Dragons by 12. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 2pm (AEST).