NRL: Sea Eagles still rate Dragons as team to beat

Des Hasler. Photo / Supplied

They're the form team of the competition riding a six-game winning streak, but don't try telling Manly coach Des Hasler his boys are the NRL yardstick ahead of tonight's blockbuster against St George Illawarra.

The Sea Eagles joined the Dragons on the top line of betting ahead of their showdown in Wollongong, the equal favouritism as much to do with Manly's good run as the premiers' loss of form.

But Hasler claimed there were mitigating circumstances behind the Dragons' slide down the ladder, with injuries and a hectic representative season biting hard.

"Definitely," was Hasler's succinct reply when asked whether the Dragons remain the team to beat for the 2011 title.

"The consistency they play at and just the quality of players and quality of attacking players - I think it's a fair statement that they are definitely the benchmark.

"You have to put it [their recent run] into context.

"Against the Titans, they had nine out so you have to take into account injury and the impact of Origin.

"They are the minor premiers, they're a champion team. They wouldn't have liked losing two in a row, but you can't control all the circumstances.

"I know they definitely wouldn't like losing three in a row and they definitely don't want to lose at WIN Stadium."

The Dragons haven't gone four consecutive games without a win - a prospect they are facing against the Sea Eagles - since the arrival of coach Wayne Bennett at the club in 2009.

The last time it occurred was a four-game losing run between rounds three and six in 2008.

Their bid to find winning form tonight hasn't been helped by the almost certain loss of halfback and captain Ben Hornby, who failed to take any part in the final training run due to an ankle injury.

Nathan Fien is set to come off the bench to play at first receiver, with Mitch Rein likely to be drafted on to the bench.

With Beau Scott and Matt Cooper also sidelined, the Dragons are still below full strength, but Hasler said there are still plenty of intriguing clashes in a contest featuring 16 internationals spread across the two sides.

"There is plenty of key match-ups, they're right across the paddock," Hasler said.

- AAP