Paul Vaughan knows how it feels to have his back against the wall. It was only last year that the Dragons had to deal with external pressure as the defeats mounted and questions piled up about their coach's future.
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St George Illawarra is presently on a two-game losing streak, but the spotlight is on their opponents ahead of Sunday's clash with the Tigers at WIN Stadium. They have claimed only one win this season and coach Michael Maguire continues to look for answers.
Vaughan is wary of the Tigers heading into the crunch match, but the Dragons prop remains focused on getting the job done on Sunday.
"I think if you're going to read into some of the outside noise, you're going to be in trouble," he said. "We're just worrying about what we need to do and get back to our team defence and working hard. I think everything will build off the back of that. There's no easy game in the NRL which makes it so good, it keeps you honest. You've always got to play to the best of your ability every week. It's another tough task but the boys will be up for it."
There's no easy game in the NRL which makes it so good, it keeps you honest.
- - Paul Vaughan
St George Illawarra will be buoyed by the return of skipper Ben Hunt after recovering from a fractured leg.
Jordan Pereira and Mikaele Ravalawa will both miss through suspension, with Cody Ramsey returning to the wing while Max Feagai has been picked for his first game in 2021. Jack Bird shifts back to centre after playing in the halves last week, while Josh Kerr returns to the starting side and Billy Burns moves to the bench.
Sunday shapes as crucial for the Dragons, who want to atone for their 34-10 Anzac Day loss to the Roosters.
"I think on such a big day, it was disappointing. All of the boys looked forward to it and there were a few boys who hadn't played on that stage before. It was a good experience but it wasn't the result we were looking for," Vaughan said.
"The good thing about rugby league is we're back training hard this week and we're still in the top eight. We'll take those back-to-back losses and build on something that we can be proud of."
Fellow forward Daniel Alvaro agreed with Vaughan, adding that the Dragons needed to improve on last week's offering.
"It obviously wasn't our best day. We were really poor there for a little period before halftime and that's pretty frustrating when you see how close the game was at that point, even though it may not have felt like it. So we take that lesson and move on," Alvaro, 27, said.
"But we try to keep it pretty mellow and just take it one week at a time. So we're just going about our business."
Alvaro is enjoying life in Wollongong, with the former Eel and Warrior playing seven games since signing a two-year deal with the Dragons last December.
However, there is always room for improvement for the man nicknamed 'Chugger'.
"I'm loving it down here, mate," Alvaro said. "I just want to keep building, but it's still early in the year."