Todd Warren previews Titans vs Rabbitohs as the home side looks to bounce back and Souths try to keep their winning streak alive.
TEAM NEWS
Venue: CBUS Super Stadium, Date: Friday April 23, Time: 6pm
Titans Team
1. AJ Brimson
2. Anthony Don
3. Brian Kelly
4. Patrick Herbert
5. Corey Thompson
6. Ash Taylor
7. Jamal Fogarty (c)
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Mitch Rein
10. Moeaki Fotuaika
11. Kevin Proctor
12. David Fifita
13. Tyrone Peachey
14. Erin Clark
15. Jaimin Jolliffe
16. Sam Lisone
17. Sam McIntyre
18. Beau Fermor
19. Herman Ese’ese
20. Jonus Pearson
21. Philip Sami
Team Changes
IN: Sam McIntyre
OUT: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Rabbitohs Team
1. Alex Johnston
2. Dane Gagai
3. Steven Marsters
4. Campbell Graham
5. Jaxson Paulo
6. Cody Walker
7. Adam Reynolds (c)
8. Thomas Burgess
9. Damien Cook
10. Tevita Tatola
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jayden Su’a
13. Cameron Murray
14. Benji Marshall
15. Mark Nicholls
16. Liam Knight
17. Jai Arrow
18. Jacob Host
19. Patrick Mago
20. Dean Hawkins
21. Hame Sele
Team Changes
IN: Jaxson Paulo, Steven Marsters
OUT: Latrell Mitchell, Josh Mansour
Referee: Chris Sutton
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Titans
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is out suspended for a couple of weeks, causing a bit of a reshuffle, with Moeaki Fotuaika moving into the starting side and Sam McIntyre playing off the bench.
The Titans were awful in the loss against Manly last week; although Manly did play very well, the biggest issue was the Titans failing to score any points at all. They have a much tougher match up this week against a hot Rabbitohs side.
Rabbitohs
Latrell Mitchell has looked good to start the season but lost at the judiciary earlier in the week so will now be out for four weeks. This means Alex Johnston moves to fullback and the backline is shuffled a little; while Johnston has spent plenty of time at fullback over the years, he definitely brings a different skillset to Latrell so Souths are missing out on of their X-factors.
Souths got the win last week in the first Golden Point game of 2021, thanks to some Adam Reynolds magic to get them to extra time and Thomas Burgess finishing it off. They are on a five-game winning streak.
PREVIEW
Manly pumped the Titans last week to the point of embarrassment. It was awful and by far the worst the Titans have looked this season. There were such high hopes coming into the season after some big signings but last week bought everyone crashing back to earth. I’ve been getting smartass texts from my Broncos supporters mates all week. That’s right, Broncos supporters are getting chirpy again…
Souths looked certain to lose against the Tigers last week. Wests were well on top for almost the entire game until Reynolds decided to shoot for a two-point field goal from 45m out while Souths were down by two with about nine minutes left. It was a ridiculous play and it never looked like missing as soon as he got his foot to the ball. It was absolutely amazing and ultimately got them the win, after Burgess scored under the posts, in one of the most entertaining Golden Point games you’ll ever see.
KEY STAT
South Sydney have not lost on the Gold Coast in the last 11 years. This game will be the first time the Rabbitohs have played outside Sydney since they defeated the Storm at AAMI Park in round one.
PREDICTION
It’s hard to put any faith in the Titans after that performance last week; Souths should win comfortably, even without Latrell.
Souths by 12.
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