Bulldogs v Titans: Curran back on deck; RCG makes club debut
The Titans finally get to launch their season some three weeks after their last trial game and they face a stern test first-up against the Bulldogs at Belmore.
Des Hasler's men won't have happy memories of last year's trip to Belmore, going down 32-0 to the Bulldogs in Round 3 and losing Tino Fa'asuamaleaui for the rest of the season to a knee injury.
That was part of a horror opening to their 2024 campaign that saw the Titans lose their first six in a row and from there they never recovered.
With Fa'asuamaleaui back in the fold and David Fifita primed for a big season the Titans are sure to be highly competitive but they confront a Bulldogs outfit riding high after a first-up win over the Dragons.
The Bulldogs get Josh Curran back from suspension to add more power to a forward pack that laid the foundation for victory in Round 1.
Match: Bulldogs v Titans
Round 2 -
home Team
Bulldogs
3rd Position
away Team
Titans
13th Position
Venue: Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
Team News
Bulldogs: A handful of changes for Canterbury in the final team update, with both Josh Curran and Jaeman Salmon promoted to the starting side. Kurt Mann moves from lock to the interchange, while prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita drops out of the side completely. The forward played reserve grade earlier on Sunday. Harry Hayes is the new face on the bench in jumper No.19, with Luke Smith the 18th man.
Titans: Gold Coast will line up as per the program, with Des Hasler sticking with the side he initially named on Tuesday. Jaylan De Groot remains in the squad as 18th man. Coach Des Hasler's first team for 2025 features big-name recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard in the front row alongside Moe Fotuaika with skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui at lock. RCG has overcome a shoulder injury to take his place while big Tino tastes his first NRL action since rupturing his ACL in Round 3 last year. AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell team up in the halves as they did in the final trial game against the Dolphins. David Fifita and Jaimin Jolliffe come off the bench along with Chris Randall and former Rabbitoh Brock Gray, who arrived at the club on a train and trial deal with 129 NSW Cup games to his name. No changes in Saturday's 24-hour update.
Match: Bulldogs v Titans
Round 2 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake WilsonWinger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Titans is number 4 Phillip Sami
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Titans is number 5 Jojo Fifita
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 AJ Brimson
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby SextonHalfback for Titans is number 7 Jayden Campbell
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh CurranProp for Titans is number 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Klese Haas
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 17 Jaeman SalmonLock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Kurt MannInterchange for Titans is number 14 Chris Randall
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey HaywardInterchange for Titans is number 15 David Fifita
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili TupouniuaInterchange for Titans is number 16 Jaimin Jolliffe
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Harry HayesInterchange for Titans is number 17 Brock Gray
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Luke SmithReplacement for Titans is number 18 Jaylan De Groot
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have won three of their past four games against the Titans.
- Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored 44 tries in 44 NRL games.
- The Bulldogs have won three of their past four games at Belmore Sports Ground.
- The Titans were defeated 32-0 at Belmore in Round 3 last season.
- The Bulldogs have not opened with back-to-back wins since 2016.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
