NRL 2023, Gold Coast Titans v Melbourne Storm round 3 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 18 Mar 2023, 02:01 PM

Gold Coast and Melbourne clash for the 26th time in NRL history on Saturday afternoon after both sides suffered losses in Round 2 following first-up wins to open the season.

The Titans came back to earth at Kogarah on Sunday after an impressive start to the season while Melbourne copped more injury concerns in their loss to the Bulldogs but were otherwise beaten on enthusiasm.

Craig Bellamy's men hold a dominant record against the Titans, particularly at Cbus Super Stadium, and with a few stars slated to return, they'll want to correct their efforts last week.

Star recruit Kieran Foran has seen it all in his 264-game career and the Titans will look to him for guidance and a steadying hand as they look to bounce back in front of the Cbus Super Stadium faithful.

Their 12-2 lead early against the Dragons was encouraging but the kicking game of Foran's and Tanah Boyd will need to be better to get the home side over the line.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 18 Mar

Full Time

Titans

Storm

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Highlights Latest

Team News

Titans: No late changes. Hooker Sam Verrills (shoulder) is out, replaced by Chris Randall. The new faces on the interchange are Joseph Vuna in his first game since 2021 after missing all of 2022 due to an ACL injury and Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, younger brother of skipper Tino, who makes his NRL debut.

Storm: Xavier Coates (shoulder), Tui Kamikamica (foot), Tariq Sims (calf) and Justin Olam (arm) have all been named in a huge boost for the Storm. Tyran Wishart drops back to the bench with Jonah Pezet set to start in the halves alongside Jahrome Hughes. Bronson Garlick joins the bench in place of Jordan Grant.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 18 Mar

Full Time

Titans

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly

Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
Centre for Titans is number 4 Aaron Schoupp

Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami

Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 14 Jonah Pezet
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika

Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Chris Randall

Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita

2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Joe Stimson

2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
Lock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu

Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh King

Interchange

Interchange for Titans is number 14 Jayden Campbell

Interchange for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Erin Clark

Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Joe Vuna

Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tariq Sims
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui

Interchange for Storm is number 21 Bronson Garlick

Reserves

Replacement for Titans is number 18 Sam McIntyre

Replacement for Storm is number 17 Jordan Grant

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:54 AM

Stat Attack

The Titans have not defeated the Storm at Cbus Super Stadium since 2013.
Melbourne have won their past eight games against the Titans.
The Titans have scored 80 points in their past two games at Cbus Super Stadium.
Titans utility Jayden Campbell has scored seven tries in his past nine games at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Storm and Titans sit atop the missed tackle count after two rounds - Storm have missed 86 and Titans 84.
The Storm have made 11 line breaks in their two matches, second only to the Warriors with 12. The Titans have come up with just seven.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.