Jem Nash previews what could be the last game of the season for these two sides between the Titans and the Warriors on Sunday afternoon. This is what we have to look forward to.
Embed from Getty ImagesTEAM NEWS
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Date: Sunday, September 5, Time: 2:00pm AEST
Titans
1. Jayden Campbell
2. Phillip Sami
3. Brian Kelly
4. Patrick Herbert
5. Corey Thompson
6. Tyrone Peachey
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Mitch Rein
10. Moeaki Fotuiaka
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Beau Fermor
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
14. Erin Clark
15. David Fifita
16. Jaimin Joliffe
17. Sam McIntyre
18. Greg Marzhew
19. Sam Lisone
20. Toby Sexton
21. Anthony Don
Team Changes
IN: Anthony Don, Greg Marzhew, Sam Lisone
OUT:
Warriors
1. Reece Walsh
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Peta Hiku
4. Rocco Berry
5. Marcelo Montoya
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita
7. Sean O’Sullivan
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Wayde Egan
10. Matthew Lodge
11. Josh Curran
12. Euan Aitken
13. Bayley Sironen
14. Kodi Nikorima
15. Eliesa Katoa
16. Kane Evans
17. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
18. Jazz Tevaga
20. Adam Pompey
21. Jack Murchie
22. Edward Kosi
Team Changes
IN: Adam Pompey, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Edward Kosi, Jack Murchie, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
OUT: Bunty Afoa, Chad Townsend
Referee: Ashley Klein
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Titans
Embed from Getty ImagesMoeaki Fotuaika has been promoted to the starting side, pushing Tino Fa’asuamaleaui back to lock and Sam McIntyre onto the bench. A Mitchell Pearce field goal in the dying seconds last week now means the Titans’ finals hopes now rely on other results to go their way. They need the Raiders to lose to Roosters and the Storm to beat the Sharks, and then a big enough win over the Warriors to surpass the Sharks’ for and against. All those results are certainly plausible but the Warriors definitely present a genuine threat.
Warriors
Embed from Getty ImagesChanel Harris-Tavita is back in the side at five-eighth while Jamayne Taunoa-Brown comes onto the bench in place of Bunty Afoa in the two changes to the Warriors’ side. They are officially out of contention after their 28-16 loss to the Raiders last week but can still play spoiler to the Titans’ season. The Warriors raced out to an early 16-0 lead but allowed the Raiders to storm back with 28 unanswered points.
PREVIEW
By kick off on Sunday afternoon, the Titans will know whether they still have a chance of playing finals in 2021. Whether or not there are greater implications at play, this should still be an even battle. Both sides boast two of the stronger forward packs in the competition, which means the contest in the middle of the field will be key. Addin Fonua-Blake has been impressive since returning from injury while Euan Aitken has been a revelation at second row since making the move back in round 20.
For the Titans, Fa’asuamaleaui hasn’t quite been able to live up to the pre-season hype but he has still had a very strong year. The main weapon on their side though is still David Fifita. His impact off the bench has been a game changer and if he is at his best then the Titans will be incredibly hard to stop.
KEY STAT
The Warriors have won nine of their last 11 matches against the Titans.
PREDICTION
Whether or not the Titans are still in the finals race, they should still be too strong for the Warriors in a high scoring affair.
Titans by 6
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