Josh Dugan injured as Dragons tame Tigers 28-6

THEY play to entertain and excite — but the Dragons will have to continue their top form without one of their star players.

Josh Dugan was injured as the Dragons beat the Tigers.

THEY play to entertain and excite — but will have to do it now without one of their star players.

St George Illawarra continued their early season charge with a commanding 28-6 win over Wests Tigers yesterday.

The Dragons have now scored 128 points this season — the best of any side in the NRL.

This from a side which scored just 40 points after five rounds last season at a tedious average of just eight points a match. That figure has jumped to nearly 26 points a game over the same rounds this season.

They have gone from boring to soaring.

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St George Illawarra was heavily criticised for having a lack of imagination in attack throughout last season. Even in the pre-season Charity Shield this year, they looked slow and pedestrian.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor has somehow unlocked his team, transforming them into a side with unlimited attacking clout.

“Our attack is on the back-end of our ‘D’. We had seven line breaks today which is nice and we scored some points,” McGregor said.

Jason Nightingale scores his third try for the Dragons against Wests Tigers. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“The boys had to work hard to get those points. We only got down there three times in the first half and came away with three tries. They are certainly comfortable around the clarity of the role they need to play in attack.”

Dragons skipper Gareth Widdop, who set-up three tries, added: “I keep saying when you have good go-forward, it makes it easier. Things are working well for us but it’s about doing it each and every week now and not dropping off.”

But one player who has helped Saints score their points will have scans on an injured hamstring.

Star fullback Josh Dugan was assisted up the tunnel after 58 minutes after his hamstring popped when attempting to defuse a Wests Tigers grubber kick.

He must now be in doubt for the May 5 Test against New Zealand in Canberra.

“No good mate, he has hurt him hammy. I don’t know how bad it is but he felt it straight away,” McGregor said.

Dragons star Josh Dugan will have scans on an injured hamstring.

“We will gauge that (today) through a scan. He won’t be right next week. He is in ice and in good spirits but disappointed.

“Losing quality players hurts. Josh Dugan is Josh Dugan — there aren’t many of him around. He will be missed.”

Widdop added: “He has been great for us this year, it’s disappointing.”

Kurt Mann could shift to fullback with Euan Aitkin to return from injury at centre.

Winger Jason Nightingale scored three tries before half-time on Sunday, centre Tim Lafai scored another while winger Nene McDonald also crossed. Nightingale has been a consistent, successful and professional winger for many years now. He is some player.

Dragons winger Jason Nightingale celebrates scoring his third try against Wests Tigers. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Saints only made seven errors all match.

“Our goal-line ‘D’ was special. When you’re under fatigue, to only allow yourself seven errors for the game, outstanding,” McGregor said.

“It showed their commitment to one-another, their connection to one-another and their fitness.”

Victory sets up a huge match against Manly this Saturday at Lottoland.

The final indignity for Wests Tigers was an 80th minute penalty goal to Saints, kicked by prop Leeson Ah Mau, playing his 100th club game for the Dragons.

Wests Tigers were never really in the game. The appointment of new coach Ivan Cleary cannot come quickly enough. There are suggestions that could happen ether Monday or Tuesday.

Wests Tigers have one win this year and are equal last on the competition table.

“I thought we were in the game,” Tigers interim coach Andrew Webster said.

“We had opportunities but either didn’t execute or got disheartened by what they were doing. We have to look at the way we are playing. It is defence too, but it is our attack particularly. We have some things to fix and we will be working hard to fix them.”

The struggles continue for Wests Tigers. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Wests Tigers skipper Aaron Woods was equally upset.

“We are not reacting when things aren’t going our way,” Woods said.

“We are just putting our heads down a little bit. A couple of times we dropped the ball over the line and they just roll though us. We are not transitioning to our defence. We need to be a lot better.”

Wests Tigers lost hooker Matt Ballin through the match with another knee injury.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 28 (J Nightingale 3 T Lafai N MacDonald tries G Widdop 3 L Ah Mau goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 6 (K Naiqama try M Moses goal) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Henry Perenara, Matt Noyen. Crowd: 13,172.

Originally published as Josh Dugan injured as Dragons tame Tigers 28-6