Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 8 clash between the New Zealand Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
New Zealand Warriors Vs Gold Coast Titans
Venue: Mount Smart Stadium
Date: Thursday April 25, 2pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Rocco Berry, 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Te Maire Martin, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitchell Barnett, 11. Jackson Ford, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Tohu Harris, 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Tom Ale, 16. Zyon Maiu’u, 17. Paul Roache, 18. Adam Pompey, 20. Taine Tuaupiki, 21. Ali Leiataua, 22. Edward Kosi, 23. Tanner Stowers-Smith
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson, 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Harley Smith-Shields, 5. Jojo Fifita, 6. Tanah Boyd, 7. Kieran Foran, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Jaimin Jolliffe, 11. David Fifita, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Klese Haas, 14. Sam Verrills, 15. Erin Clark, 16. Isaac Liu, 17. Josiah Pahulu, 18. Joe Stimson, 19. Tony Francis, 20. Aaron Schoupp, 21. Keano Kini, 22. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The New Zealand Warriors return to an ANZAC day clash to home soil for the first time since 2015 against the same opponent they faced back then in the Gold Coast Titans. The Warriors will be looking to reverse their fortunes having stumbled last week against the Dragons and will come into this clash as the heavy favorites to dispatch of the winless Titans in front of a sellout home crowd.
How the Warriors handle the intense emotion of the day will play a huge factor in the result on gameday. If they can use the emotion of the occasion to their advantage and ride the support from the fans, they could absolutely torch the visitors. The way veteran half Shaun Johnson directs his side around the field and manages the tempo of this game as he looks to free up his strike weapons out wide will be the key to his side’s success.
The Titans come into this clash still searching for their first victory and will hope that this matchup will see them get their breakthrough win for 2024. The side has been much improved over the past two weeks which has coincided with AJ Brimson returning to a spine position and having more touches of the ball. If the fullback can pick his moments and search for offloads in the middle of the ruck, his speed and footwork can cause troubles for the Warriors.
Jacob Laban replaces Kurt Capewell in the starting side with Capewell missing this game with a throat injury while also giving young second rower Zyon Maiu’u his NRL debut. Tanah Boyd returned to the top grade for the Titans last week and has held on to his spot this week, partnering Kieran Foran in the halves.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Round 8 Number Crunch.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Warriors by 14 points.
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