Dylan Jhugroo previews the Round 7 clash between the Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Gold Coast Titans v Brisbane Broncos
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
Date: Saturday April 15, 7:35pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Erin Clark 16. Jo Vuna 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Klese Haas 19. Jojo Fifita 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Thomas Weaver 22. Sam McIntyre
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 18. Jordan Pereira 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Brendan Frei 21. Jock Madden 22. Xavier Willison
Referee: Todd Smith
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Until this season, the clash between the Broncos and the Titans was the closest thing Queensland had to a genuine NRL local derby. But even with the introduction of the Dolphins, the tension in this fixture lives on as Queensland’s perennial ‘big brother’ takes on its ‘little brother’.
The Titans are fresh off getting revenge on the St George Illawarra Dragons, getting a 20-18 win in Round 6 to even-out their Round 2 loss in Kogarah. They welcome back veteran five-eighth Kieran Foran, who’ll take the place of last week’s match winner Toby Sexton. Lining up at fullback again is young-gun Jayden Campbell, who’ll be keen to prove his worth in that spot before the return of fan-favourite AJ Brimson. Former Leeds Rhinos hooker Kruise Leeming looked solid on debut for Gold Coast last week and will look to back up his performance off the bench again on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, the Broncos will be out with a point to prove after suffering their first loss of the season against a Raiders side who at the time had only one win to their name. Front-rower Thomas Flegler will be a significant loss for Brisbane, particularly coming up against the likes of Moeaki Fotuaika and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui this week. But any side featuring Payne Haas is capable of dominating an opposition forward pack, and the Broncos will be expecting nothing less from him this week.
KEY MATCHUP: Two of the more explosive young fullbacks we’ve seen in recent history come toe-to-toe this week, in the form of Queenslanders Jayden Campbell and Reece Walsh. The Titans have struggled to find a spot for Jayden this season, but his ability since coming into first grade in 2021 is undoubtable. His speed around the ruck could provide the Titans with the perfect attacking option when the Broncos’ middles begin to fatigue.
On the other side of the park is the man touted to keep Campbell out of an Origin jersey for his whole career. Reece Walsh has been an electric addition to the Broncos this season. The attention he demands from defensive lines allows time and space for Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam to work with and succeed with. He’s every chance of putting on a real show this weekend.
UNDER PRESSURE: Rookie winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has been impressive since making his NRL debut in Round 1 this season. But incumbent Jojo Fifita has now recovered from injury and is ominously named in the Titans’ reserves list. If Khan-Pereira gives coach Justin Holbrook even a slight reason to drop him, that wing spot could be Jojo’s for the foreseeable future.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Titans 5, Broncos 5.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Broncos by 10 points.
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