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.
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Sharks
3rd Position
away Team
Titans
16th Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
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.
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Titans is number 2 Sialetili Faeamani
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Titans is number 3 Jojo Fifita
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL IroCentre for Titans is number 4 Max Feagai
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel StonestreetWinger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 AJ Brimson
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Titans is number 7 Lachlan Ilias
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Thomas HazeltonProp for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Arama Hau
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Billy Burns2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse ColquhounLock for Titans is number 13 Chris Randall
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Titans is number 14 Kurtis Morrin
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Toby RudolfInterchange for Titans is number 15 Tukimihia Simpkins
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Titans is number 16 Klese Haas
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden UeleInterchange for Titans is number 17 Cooper Bai
Reserves
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa PuruReserve for Titans is number 18 Luke Sommerton
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Chris Vea'ilaReserve for Titans is number 19 Zane Harrison
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
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.
