Wests Tigers overcame a boggy surface and a slow start to open their NRL pre-season campaign with a 28-4 victory over North Queensland in Mackay on Friday night.

In a match played on a Tiger Park quagmire, the Tigers ran in five tries to one with Englishman Mark Flanagan grabbing a double in his first run with the club.

The match also the first in the black and gold for rugby league bad boy Arana Taumata, while half-back Blake Lazarus was impressive in his first game in a year after missing last season with a knee reconstruction.

"It was a very good effort in the heavy conditions and the pleasing thing is there are no major injuries," Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell said.

"It was a terrible night for rugby league. The game was played in thick mud.

"(Chris) Corby did well at dummy half in the second half while Arana Taumata added plenty of spark. (Junior) Moors and Flanagan were also very good."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP