Check out the match preview and prediction for the Round 23 clash between the Gold Coast Titans and the New Zealand Warriors.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Gold Coast Titans Vs New Zealand Warriors
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
Date: Friday 4th August, 6pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Erin Clark 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Chris Randall 16. Klese Haas 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Keano Kini 19. Jacob Alick 20. Jo Vuna 21. Kruise Leeming 22. Ken Maumalo
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran 18. Jazz Tevaga 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Tom Ale 23. Ronald Volkman
Referee: Ben Cummins
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Warriors head to the Gold Coast, firmly entrenched in the top eight and looking to lock in a top-four finish, while the Titans need to keep winning to keep their very slim hopes of finals footy alive.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster has named the same 17 who sunk the Raiders by a field goal, while the Titans have made just one change, with Aaron Schoupp coming in at centre for the injured Jojo Fifita. Skipper AJ Brimson has also overcome an abdomen injury to take his place in the fullback jersey.
The Warriors have continued to impress this season, and following last week’s bye, they are refreshed heading into the run to the finals. They will be out to show that they mean business with some dominant performances over the coming weeks. Shaun Johnson has wound back the clock this season and is a big part of his side’s resurgence. If they get on a roll, SJ could put on a clinic against the home side.
The Titans snapped a four-game losing streak with a strong performance against the Cowboys last start and will want to show the home faithful that this performance was not just a one-off. The Titans’ ability to score points is well-known, but it will be their effort on the defensive side that will go a long way in determining who comes out on top. If the Titans can put in a similar effort to what they did against the Cowboys, they are more than capable of taking the fight to the Warriors.
Players to Watch: Alofiana Khan-Pereira vs Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
In what could prove to be an offensive showcase from both sides, all eyes will be on the battle of the try-scoring speedsters on the flanks for both teams. Khan-Pereira has proven himself to be more than capable of finishing, having scored 18 tries in his rookie season, which sees him sitting equal second in the try-scorers’ tally for the season. To his credit, fan favorite DWZ is no slouch as a try-scorer himself, having scored 16 for the season. Watch out for either of these players to turn a half chance into points in the blink of an eye.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Titans 6, Warriors 4
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Warriors by 10
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