In the final game of round 1, Wests Tigers host the Titans at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Wests Tigers Vs Gold Coast Titans
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
Date: Sunday March 5, 2023, 7:30pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Tommy Talau 5. Charlie Staines 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Shawn Blore 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Fonua Pole 17. Asu Kepaoa 18. Alex Seyfarth 19. Starford To’a 20. Brandon Wakeham 21. Justin Matamua 22. Junior Tupou
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Joe Stimson 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Keano Kini 20. Chris Randall 21. Klese Haas 22. Treymain Spry
Referee: Peter Gough
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Wests Tigers are set for a bounce back season which both brings in the future as well as revisits the past.
Tim Sheens kicks off his second spell in charge against the visiting Gold Coast Titans on Sunday a full decade after last coaching them.
Excitement has well and truly returned to Leichhardt, with club legends Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah adding their expertise to the coaching group.
It isn’t just the return of these past legends though that has Tigers fans buzzing, the recruitment drive has been one of the best in recent memory for the orange and black, signalling a new team, new culture and brighter future.Signings Isaiah Papali’i and David Klemmer will no doubt provide punch and experience to a forward pack that has at times struggled in the past.
Arguably the most heralded to debut for the Tigers however is Apisai Koroisau. Koroisau not only provides the first top shelf hooker the Tigers have had since Robbie Farrah, but leadership experience and premierships from a dominant Panther side that’s seen him slot straight into the role of captain before even putting a jersey on for his new club.
The direction, passing and ruck control Koroisau will bring not only compliments the forward pack assembled, but should open things up for the Tigers playmakers to shine against a Titans team that can give up a lot of points to a quality spine.
The only negative to kick-off the Tigers season is the delay of another star forward recruit – John Bateman, who will not debut round 1 after a disrupted preseason.
Expect a new look Tigers against the Titans on Sunday with Doueihi and Brooks a big chance to put on points playing behind a dominant and experienced pack that will trouble the Titans middle. Sheens has also always been a lauded attacking coach and it could mean a lot of points for the Tigers on Sunday if they can click form round 1.
Meanwhile, the Titans have a couple of new faces to really sharpen up their spine.
Veteran Kieran Foran will hold the key in the halves and provide much needed experience and leadership whilst Tanah Boyd has bene preferred to the more experienced Toby Sexton.
Like the Tigers, hooker has been a position of need for several years and the recruitment of Sam Verrills adds quality that the Titans fans will be hoping helps them compete in a tough away game on Sunday to start the season.
After a four-try haul in a win against the Dolphins during the preseason, Alofiana Khan-Pereira has been named on the wing for his NRL debut also and looks an exciting prospect that could trouble the Tigers out wide.
The Titans have underachieved for years so no doubt they’d be looking to start the season off strong with rumours continuing to swirl that coach Justin Holbrook’s future is far from secure.
The Tigers loomed as a great matchup for teams in 2022, but against a new look team at Leichhardt Oval in front of a packed house, the pressure will be on the Titans coach, and the team, to start off 2023 on a positive note.
If they do, they’ll need to do so without arguably their vest forward in 2022 – Beau Fermor.
The second rower cruelly suffered a season ending ACL injury a week prior to kick-off for 2023. The Titans lose both talent and attacking spark on that edge they desperately need against the Tigers.
So, it will be equally fascinating if David Fifita is finally unleashed and given quality ball. Against the Tigers in prior years, he’s proven a handful.
Kicking off 2023 in a contract year, the damaging edge backrower could be the difference between a Titans victory or loss. It’s also a fascinating matchup with Fifita against the star-studded new Tigers recruits.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Titans 8, Tigers 2
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Tigers by 12
