NRL trials 2025 LIVE updates: Bulldogs take on Wests Tigers, Dragons host Roosters
Here we go, team lists are upon us. A few names to watch in the Bulldogs line-up, winger goes rather well, while plays his first game for the club after being signed while recovering from a torn ACL. Front-rower also gets his first game in club colours, along with ex-Warrior
The Tigers - gets his first game for the joint-venture while is captaining at hooker. Big things expected right across their spine actually, young fullback is from the same junior crop as halves and .
Bulldogs: 1. Blake Taaffe 22. Ratu Rinakama 3. Luke Smith 4. Danny Gabrael 5. Jonathan Sua 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Joseph O’Neill 8. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Sam Hughes 11. Harry Hayes 12. Lipoi Hopoi 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Reuben Moyle 15. Tom Amone 16. Alekolasimi Jones 17. Jack Todd 19. Cassius Tia 20. Taye Cochrane 21. Logan Spinks 22. Ratu Rinakama 23. Zyon Maiu’u 24. Ragarive Wavik 25. Cooper Toy.
Tigers: 1. Heath Mason 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Josh Feledy 5. Alexander Lobb 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Latu Fainu 8. Tim Johannssen 9. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Kit Laulilii 11. Tony Sukkar 12. Sione Fainu 13. Justin Matamua 14. Tristan Hope 16. Jaxson Rahme 17. Solomane Saukuru 18. William Craig 19. Lachlan Broederlow 20. Marc Tannous 21. Faaletino Tavana 22. Max Liles 23. Jared Haywood 24. Noah Johannssen.
The Dogs starting to come home stronger now. Jonathan Sua is on the end of one in the sunny corner of the ground, simple quick hands set up that one. Tia converts for a 20-14 lead from the sideline, swinging it back through the sticks. Great nudge.
Canterbury go over in the same corner soon after but there’s a dropped ball from Ragarive Wavik as he tries to get the ball down. That would’ve been a fine finish to a break that featured prop Jack Todd prominently - he’s looked very handy today.
Bulldogs 20 Tigers 14
Canterbury on the attack for the first time in the second half. Their first raid doesn’t come off but the second, not bad at all. The Fijian flyer Ratu ‘Jethro’ Rinakama has plenty of work to do from 10 metres out with two defenders in front of him.
He goose steps and muscles his way over in the corner for his second try. A lot to like there. Cassius Tia’s sideline conversion swings wide. The Bulldogs go calling that way again soon after and Rinakama is done, he’s down with cramp and hasn’t gotten up several minutes later.
Bulldogs 14 Tigers 14
No Lachlan Galvin in the second stanza, keeping him in cotton wool after an encouraging first 40 to start the year.
Doesn’t stop the Tigers though. They’re gifted some great attacking territory from a Bulldogs error and soon enough, Solomone Faataape is stepping his way through stretched defence out wide. Shot at goal swings wide in the breeze. Scores stay level.
Again, not for long though. Faataape has a double in the blink of an eye. Sleepy shortside defence from the Dogs is exposed by Tristan Hope from dummy-half, he draws and passes and the Tigers centre is over easy as you like.
Bulldogs 10 Tigers 14
Don’t look now, but we’ve got a game of footy on our hands. Canterbury stringing some sets together, and then some lovely passes too from 10 metres out.
Drew Hutchison straightens at the line and Danny Gabrael gets rid of his pass in quick time. Young Fijian Ratu Rinikama on the end of it out wide. No conversion from the sideline but it’s 10-6 at halftime and probably a fair reflection of this one.
Bulldogs 10 Tigers 6
The Tigers strike back, that’s very easy on the eye that one. Lachie Galvin runs it on the last from inside his own half. Gets on the outside, down a short side, Solomone Faataape shuffles onto his winger Alex Lobb.
After motoring downfield he dinks a perfect grubber back in-field and Heath Mason is onto it for a very, very nice try. Lobb converts and we’re at even stevens after 34 minutes.
Bulldogs 6 Tigers 6
Joseph O’Neill, the young halfback whose impressed plenty at junior level, muscles up and dumps Heath Mason in a fine tackle. Don’t know if the Tigers No.1 will be throwing the dummy next time.
Next set, Drew Hutchison sends Jonathan Sua down the right touchline and young front-rower Jack Todd scores with his first touch. Runs on and steps his way through for a try. Love it. Blake Taaffe converts from right in front. Rough scenes shortly afterwards for Tigers forward Sione Fainu, he went straight up the tunnel with a toe issue.
Another error from Jonathon Sua gives the Tigers another chance. It follows a break set up by Lachie Galvin down the right edge - he’s looking good, the Tigers tyro. Canterbury’s wingers on the other hand… we’ve got a repeat set now after Galvin rolls a grubber into the in-goal and it’s taken dead by Taaffe.
Lachie Galvin on the attack.Credit: Getty Images
The follow-up set doesn’t amount to much though and Alex Lobb is shoved into touch after taking a high ball near the sideline.
Bulldogs 0 Tigers 0
The Tigers get their first crack after a schoolboy fumble from Jonathan Sua coming off his own line.
Josh Feledy - the man with the Joe Dirt mullet - has had a fair dig at burrowing over from dummy-half. Bunker rules no put down and the Tigers cough it up shortly afterwards. As you were.
Steady as she goes for the first five minutes here at Kogarah. Blake Taaffe’s new bleached blond hair the most noteworthy thing to date. Latu Fainu would like one of his early kicks back - too much mustard on it and Canterbury help themselves to an early attacking set.
Fair old scramble for a crossfield kick from young half Joseph O’Neill - it’s batted down but the Tigers are onto it. Pretty conservative stuff in the Bulldogs’ first foray into attacking territory. Daniel Suluka-Fifita broke into the back-field soon enough when O’Neill popped him into a gaping hole, gutsy tackle from Heath Mason to cut him down on the charge.
Bulldogs 0 Tigers 0
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