2015 NRL Match Preview: Sydney Roosters vs Gold Coast Titans

Date: June 28th 2015

Venue: Central Coast Stadium

Kick-Off: 2pm Sunday

Home Team

Roosters: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2 Daniel Tupou 3 Michael Jennings 4 Blake Ferguson 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6 James Maloney 7 Mitchell Pearce (c) 8 Dylan Napa 9 Jake Friend (c) 10 Sam Moa 11 Boyd Cordner 12 Mitchell Aubusson 13 Isaac Liu. Interchange: 14 Jackson Hastings 15 Aidan Guerra 16 Kane Evans 17 Sio Siua Taukeiaho 18 Brendan Elliot 19 Suaia Matagi

Away Team

Titans: 1 David Mead 2 Anthony Don 3 James Roberts 4 Nene Macdonald 5 Kevin Gordon 6 Josh Hoffman 7 Daniel Mortimer 8 Luke Douglas 9 Chad Redman 10 Nate Myles 11 Ryan James (c) 12 Dave Taylor 13 Edward Pettybourne. Interchange: 14 Agnatius Paasi 15 Mark Ioane 16 Lachlan Burr 17 Matt Robinson 18 Matt White.

Preview

Desperate for a victory to remain in contention for a top 8 position, the injury depleted Titans will face  the Roosters, who are beginning to find the form that has seen many fans label them as premiership favourites.

The Roosters are starting to hit their stride, as they have notched up close victories against the Dragons and Warriors in consecutive weeks, and this game could be the one where it all comes together for the boys from Bondi.

The Titans will be struggling following a heavy loss against the Warriors, and will need plenty of courage to compete with the Roosters.

Already having a contingent of injured players, the Titans were dealt with a big blow last week as in-form halve Aidan Sezer suffered a hamstring injury against the Warriors. Ryan James is also at risk of missing the clash, due to a shoulder injury picked up last round.

With both their halves injured, the Titans will be forced to play fullback Josh Hoffman and hooker Daniel Mortimer in the six and seven jerseys, with mid-season recruit Chad Redman to play just his second game for the Titans at starting hooker.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and coach Neil Henry is contemplating moving the Titans most dangerous player James Roberts into the halves, in a move that would give the speedster more time with the ball in hand.

The decision could go either way for the Gold Coast, as Roberts explosive speed and power could be lethal if he is given a licence to roam around the field, however the playmaking ability of the centre is questionable.

Michael Jennings will be looking to have a big game, after he was forced to miss the Roosters last clash due to an off-field incident. The lightning quick centre was unstoppable in State of Origin, and if he plays to his ability, the Titans could be in for a long night.

The last time these two sides met, the Roosters overcame a half time deficit to win 26-18, with Nene MacDonald scoring against his current side.

With a stack of injuries, and nothing to lose, the Titans will throw everything that they can at the Roosters as they attempt to keep their finals aspirations alive. However, the Sydney team will be be too strong, and they will pile the points on to defeat the Gold Coast.

Prediction Roosters by 16