Sharks v Titans: Three out, Johnson returns; Fifita back from ban
Neutral territory at Coffs Harbour makes this contest even harder to predict as neither the Titans or the Sharks have a strong "away" record so far in 2021.
The Sharks will have a little more belief after snapping a six-match losing streak with their one-point victory over St George Illawarra last week. The Titans will also feel confident after bouncing back from their big loss to the Panthers in Magic Round to topple the Bulldogs 30-20.
However, the Titans are crossing the chalk more often - they lie fifth on the NRL table with 45 tries in 11 games, compared with the Sharks' 33 in 13th spot.
Last round they scored five tries to Cronulla's two, with Jamal Fogarty the third-best goal kicker in the NRL - Chad Townsend sits in eighth.
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 12 -
home Team
Sharks
12th Position
away Team
Titans
10th Position
Venue: C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour
The rundown
Team news
Sharks: One late change on the bench, with Franklin Pele (No.20) moving into the 17. Billy Magoulias will be the 18th man.
The absence of suspended trio Mawene Hiroti, Josh Dugan and Teig Wilton has forced a reshuffle. Hiroti's wing spot is taken by Ronaldo Mulitalo, who returns from a knee injury.
Wilton is replaced on the interchange bench by Siosifa Talakai, who returns from a four-game suspension. Jesse Ramien is back from an eye injury to fill the centre spot vacated by Dugan.
Shaun Johnson has again been named to return from a hamstring injury for his 200th career game with halfback Chad Townsend dropped to the reserves list.
Franklin Pele replaces Andrew Fifita on the bench, with Jensen Taumoepeau the other player omitted from the reserves 24 hours before kick-off.
Titans: Gold Coast will start 1-17 with Esen Marsters the 18th man. The return of David Fifita from suspension pushes Beau Fermor to the bench and Sam Stone out of the squad.
Patrick Herbert is back from a calf injury in the centres.
Jai Whitbread and Ash Taylor (hip) dropped off the extended bench on Saturday.
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 12 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Titans is number 1 Alexander Brimson
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Connor TraceyWinger for Titans is number 2 Anthony Don
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Will ChambersCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse RamienCentre for Titans is number 4 Patrick Herbert
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt MoylanFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Tanah Boyd
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Titans is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Aiden TolmanProp for Titans is number 8 Jarrod Wallace
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Titans is number 9 Mitch Rein
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Aaron WoodsProp for Titans is number 10 Moeaki Fotuaika
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham2nd Row for Titans is number 12 David Fifita
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Toby RudolfLock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Braydon TrindallInterchange for Titans is number 14 Erin Clark
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Titans is number 15 Beau Fermor
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack WilliamsInterchange for Titans is number 16 Jaimin Jolliffe
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 20 Franklin PeleInterchange for Titans is number 17 Sam McIntyre
Reserves
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Billy MagouliasReserve for Titans is number 18 Esan Marsters
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Briton Nikora v David Fifita: The Sharks back-rower faces a huge challenge trying to contain a fully rested Fifita down the Titans' left edge. The elusive Shark might have played for New Zealand, and has only five NRL games less than Fifita, but Nikora is sure to find the speed and power of the Maroons Origin forward a lot to handle. Fifita returns to the Titans line-up after a two-game suspension for a careless high tackle.
Stat attack
The Titans have lost their past five meetings with the Sharks. They last tasted victory against the boys in the black, white and blue in July 2017 - a 30-10 win at Cbus Super Stadium.
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