Brisbane coach Kevin Walters is expecting to see his side bounce back when they head down the highway to face the Titans tomorrow night in the latest Queensland derby.
The high-flying Broncos suffered their first loss of the season last week when they were ambushed by an aggressive Canberra Raiders outfit and will come up against a Gold Coast side who posted a gritty win against the Dragons last weekend.
“We do need to bounce back straight away," Walters said. "That's what I'm expecting, particularly our start. I know we need to start well and just build off that so we need to bounce back.
"I think our defence at times was a little bit fragile (against the Raiders) and our attack is the big one (to improve) - we're creating opportunities, but not actually converting them.
"Tomorrow night, that's a big focus for us, to get those opportunities when they're created - and there will be some - to make sure we turn that into points.
“Both clubs have had good starts to the to the season; some good wins, playing some good footy. Tomorrow night's going to be no different again, it's a derby regardless of where both teams are or the form they're carrying, they're always tight games and we expect nothing else but a tight game tomorrow night.”
One battle on the field to look forward to is that of the two experienced halves in each side, with five-eighth Kieran Foran back in the Titans lineup for the match against the Broncos, who will be led by halfback and skipper Adam Reynolds.
Despite a being hampered by an ankle issue earlier in the week, Walters said Reynolds would be right to go for the match.
“He's fine, he’s right to go. We're all as named through the week, so it's coming together well," Walters said.
“He certainly is important to the squad … obviously, being the captain, he takes a lot of responsibility and he’s been great for this year and it's good that he’ll be out there for us on Saturday night.
“Kieran’s a good player, a good quality player who has been around for a long time, so we're certainly aware of Kieran’s skills as well, so it's about our right edge being very good defensively.”
Another good match up will be between the two forward packs, with former Bronco David Fifita finding form in recent weeks and set to be a threat.
“We know he's a good player, very robust, very strong and he's got a Titans jersey on tomorrow night, so we have got to tackle that Titans jersey," Walters said.
“I thought he was playing some good footy last year as well when he was being criticised.
"He's a good player, he's got the 'other' jersey on tomorrow night, so we'll respect that, but also be very mindful of our boys and what we need to do tomorrow night."
The Titans host the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium this Saturday night.
Match: Titans v Broncos
Round 7 -
home Team
Titans
10th Position
away Team
Broncos
1st Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
