Sharks v Titans: Katoa good to go; Ilias stands up
The Josh Hannay era on the Gold Coast begins with a return to a familiar site as the Titans prepare to take on Cronulla at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Hannay served as an assistant coach for the Sharks for the past five years before shifting north in the off-season for his first full-time gig as a head coach.
The Queenslander has led an overhaul of the Titans roster and playing style and the early results have been positive. Gold Coast claimed impressive victories over the Dolphins and Storm to complete an undefeated Witzer Pre-Season Challenge campaign.
Saturday's clash with Cronulla marks a new test against last year's preliminary finalists.
The Sharks are one of the most settled squads in the competition and enter 2026 with a grand final berth in their sights.
Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall are looking to build on their combination in the halves, while hooker Blayke Brailey enters the year on the back of a sensational finish to 2025.
The battle up front on Saturday evening promises to have a big bearing on the outcome of the game as two of the best forwards in the game go face to face.
Cronulla prop Addin Fonua-Blake and Titans skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui are set to go toe to toe in a mouthwatering battle between two international stars.
Team News
Sharks: Winger Sione Katoa (groin) is good to go as Craig Fitzgibbon rolls out a strong squad for the opener. Sam Stonestreet takes the wing spot vacated by Ronaldo Mulitalo (ACL). Back-rower Teig Wilton is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery so Briton Nikora starts alongside Billy Burns and Jesse Colquhoun. The interchange features big men Siosifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf, Oregon Kaufusi and Braden Uele with Hohepa Puru and Chris Veaila the No.18 and 19.
Titans: With playmaker Jayden Campbell set to miss at least two weeks with a hamstring injury the task of guiding the Titans around the park goes to former Dragon Lachlan Ilias. Auckland-born rookie Siale Faeamani makes his NRL debut on the wing after impressing in the Pre-Season Challenge while former Dolphin Max Feagai makes his club debut in the centres. Arama Hau has edged out Josh Patston to start in the back-row. Ex-Bulldog Kurtis Morrin is part of the interchange alongside Tuki Simpkins, Klese Haas and Cooper Bai while Luke Sommerton and Zane Harrison are the 18 and 19.
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won only two of their past 12 Round 1 games.
- The Titans have not defeated the Sharks in Sydney since 2017.
- The Sharks have won 11 of their past 12 games against the Titans.
- The Titans conceded 30 points per game in 2025.
- The Sharks have scored 98 points in their last two games against the Titans.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
