NRL: Bulldogs fearing Tigers ambush

The Tigers have stumbled with consecutive defeats. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury are fearing a Wests Tigers ambush in Friday night's NRL blockbuster as the wounded one-time premiership favourites look to rebound from back-to-back losses.

Things couldn't be going better out Belmore way following the Bulldogs' last-up win over runaway ladder leaders Melbourne, a victory which solidified their push for a top-four finish.

The Tigers, on the other hand, have stumbled with consecutive defeats, but pointing to the form they showed in the seven-game win streak that preceded those results, Bulldogs' coach Des Hasler remained wary.

"They're a very clinical side,'' Hasler said.

"You've only got to go through the playing roster to know they're a very, very capable side and touted as one of the sides that can win the premiership and I firmly believe that.''

Defence will be the buzzword at Bulldogs' training this week, given the Tigers' ability to put points on the board in a hurry.

"Yeah, and that can be off tackle two, three, four or the last,'' Hasler said.

"You've got to defend well because they ask you so many questions at the line.

"Both (Benji) Marshall and (Robbie) Farah, that's their trademark.''

Someone who knows all about the danger those two players present is Bulldogs' back-rower Dene Halatau, who won a premiership alongside the duo in 2005.

"They've got two of the best attackers in the game, I think, in Robbie and Benji,'' Halatau said.

"They test you across the park. We can't have any player lapsing in defence or they'll catch us out.

"Our focus should be on ourselves and making sure we've got our defence right.''

- AAP