Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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The Canterbury Bulldogs tackle the origin period without their stars when they play the Dolphins on Thursday.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Canterbury Bulldogs team news
Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo loses Captain Stephen Crichton, prop Max King and lock Kurt Mann to Origin duty, while Jacob Kiraz (calf) and Daniel Suluka-Fifita (concussion) are also out. Josh Curran returns from suspension in the front row and will be joined by Lipoi Hopoi up front. Blake Wilson comes in on the wing, Bailey Hayward starts at lock and Blake Taaffe starts at centre for the first time in the NRL. Jake Turpin and Sam Hughes join the bench.
Squad: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Blake Taaffe 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Lipoi Hopoi 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Harry Hayes 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Jake Turpin 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Luke Smith 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Jonathan Sua 21. Jack Underhill 22. Zyon Maiu’u 23. Mitchell Woods
Dolphins team news
For Head Coach Kristiaan Woolf only minor changes due to Origin with Jake Averillo replacing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback. Max Feagai comes into the centres for Averillo. Skipper Tom Gilbert is out with a pec injury, with Connelly Lemuelu starting in the back row and Oryn Keeley joining the bench. Sean O’Sullivan is again 18th man.
Squad: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone 14. Harrison Graham 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Josh Kerr 17. Oryn Keeley 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Aublix Tawha 20. Kenny Bromwich 21. Junior Tupou 22. Tevita Naufahu
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins prediction
The Canterbury Bulldogs looked down and out last week against the Sydney Roosters when they trailed 14-0 into the second half. As they have done all year, they found a way to win via a Matt Burton try and conversion to escape with a 24-20 victory.
They sit in a surprising first place on 20 competition points ahead of a congested upper echelon of teams that head into the origin effected rounds with much to play for looking ahead to September and the finals series.
The Dolphins fell to the New Zealand Warriors 16-12 in a match that the Warriors dominated for extended periods only to concede two late Dolphins tries to set up a grandstand finish. The Dolphins have been consistently inconsistent in 2025. Four straight losses, three straight wins and now alternating wins and losses. If the Dolphins can string together a month or two of consistency they have proven that when they are having a good day they can match it with any side in the competition.
The Bulldogs have won their only two encounters against the Dolphins and despite missing their captain among others, we think they can get past the Dolphins this week.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins tip: Canterbury Bulldogs to win
