RUGBY LEAGUE
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Searching for answers to their late season woes, St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has turned to departing Fijian flyer Eto Nabuli to provide the spark.
A top eight position beckons for McGregor's men, with Manly needing to overcome a significant for-and-against difference of 61 points even if the Dragons lose to Wests on Saturday night.
But after failing to close out victory against NRL also-rans the Gold Coast on Sunday, McGregor desperately needs to find the fire which took them to the top of the ladder earlier in the year.
With Joel Thompson left out of the team "under observation" as he manages an aggravated hamstring injury, McGregor has turned to George Rose to play his 150th NRL game as part of a six-man bench.
Bound for Queensland rugby union next season, Nabuli has been named on the wing for the Dragons for the ANZ Stadium showdown with the Tigers, replacing Dylan Farrell and ahead of Justin Hunt.
Dragons centre Peter Mata'utia said the team refused to take a finals berth for granted.
"We're out to get the two points this week," he told Dragons TV.
"At the moment we're not in the semis, so we're going to out there to do the job and play like we need to play."
Mata'utia said the Dragons squad still remained confident about doing damage in September.
"The feeling is good," he said.
"We've all just brushed what happened last week and looking forward to the challenge this week, so all the boys are upbeat for the Tigers."
Meanwhile, Canterbury's NRL premiership hopes have received a huge boost with Josh Reynolds to replace injured NSW halfback Trent Hodkinson as the side's top four hopes go on the line on Sunday.
Reynolds has been named to make a timely return from a knee injury and partner Moses Mbye in the halves against the Warriors at ANZ Stadium.
The Bulldogs' hopes of going one better than their grand final loss last year nosedived on the weekend when Hodkinson was ruled out for the rest of the season with a wrist injury.
However Reynolds' return will ensure they enter the finals with a talented playmaking combination.
The Bulldogs' monster pack has been further beefed up with Aiden Tolman (hamstring) set to make a comeback from a three-week lay-off.
Des Hasler's team must defeat the Warriors, who are on a seven-game losing streak, and hope results run their way to jump into the top four.
Ben Matulino and Chad Townsend will make welcome returns for the embattled Warriors however it appears Sam Tomkins has played his last NRL game after succumbing to a knee injury.
Cameron McInnes will wear the South Sydney No9 jersey for the suspended Issac Luke, however, he could share the hooking duties with Paul Carter, who has been named on an extended bench.