Tigers lose Tuiaki for season opener

Wests Tigers winger Taniela Tuiaki has been ruled out of Sunday's opening round NRL clash against St George Illawarra due to a hamstring strain.

The giant flyer was a notable absentee from the Tigers' session at the Sydney Football Stadium on Thursday morning, with coach Tim Sheens confirming the Kiwi Test winger was likely to return against North Queensland in round two.

Tuiaki's place will be taken by former Dragons lower grader Beau Ryan.

The Tigers will train at the match venue again on Saturday with Sheens hoping the extra sessions at the ground will give his side an edge on game day.

Sunday's clash will be the first time the two sides have met at the SFS since the Tigers pipped the Dragons in the 2005 preliminary final there.