Titans v Cowboys: Ilias takes charge; Nanai sidelined
Beaten by a combined score of 124-18 in Round 22, the Titans and Cowboys are out to restore pride when they square off at Cbus Super Stadium.
Despite their embarrassing 82-12 loss to the Roosters, Todd Payten's men are very much in finals contention and with all their remaining games against teams below them on the ladder they have a legitimate shot at September.
The Titans hit a hurdle against the rampaging Warriors but they had won three of their previous five games to move well clear of wooden spoon territory and can still cause some headaches for finals contenders in the run home.
Four of the Titans' final five games are at Cbus Super Stadium so they get a great opportunity to build momentum for next year and give their loyal fans renewed hope of a first finals berth since 2021.
Match: Titans v Cowboys
Round 23 -
home Team
Titans
14th Position
away Team
Cowboys
9th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Titans: Lachlan Ilias takes over at halfback from Zane Harrison (hamstring) in the only change to Josh Hannay's starting side. On the bench, Adam Christensen has been named for his second appearance of the season, with Jaylan de Groot dropping to the reserves.
Cowboys: Prop Griffin Neame returns from suspension but hooker Reed Mahoney (concussion) remains sidelined. Back-rower Jeremiah Nanai is out with a hamstring injury and his place is taken by Kai O'Donnell. Englishman John Bateman (hamstring) has been listed among the reserves and is set to come into the 19 closer to game day.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano KiniFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Dean IeremiaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Jojo FifitaCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac Laybutt
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 AJ BrimsonCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip SamiWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden CampbellFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Lachlan IliasHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jaxon Purdue
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Cowboys is number 8 Griffin Neame
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Oliver PascoeHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Soni Luke
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Arama Hau2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kai O'Donnell
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Chris RandallLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Kurtis MorrinInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Ethan King
-
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Josh PatstonInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Klese HaasInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Matthew Lodge
-
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Cooper BaiInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
-
Interchange for Titans is number 18 Sam VerrillsInterchange for Cowboys is number 18 Sam McIntyre
-
Interchange for Titans is number 19 Adam ChristensenInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 Kaiden Lahrs
Reserves
-
Reserve for Titans is number 20 Jaylan De GrootReserve for Cowboys is number 20 John Bateman
-
Reserve for Titans is number 21 Siale FaeamaniReserve for Cowboys is number 21 Liam Sutton
-
Reserve for Titans is number 22 Jett LiuReserve for Cowboys is number 22 Ronald Philitoga
Titans Ins
- Adam Christensen
- Jett Liu
- Lachlan Ilias
- Siale Faeamani
Cowboys Ins
- Griffin Neame
- John Bateman
- Liam Sutton
- Ronald Philitoga
Titans Outs
- Zane Harrison
Cowboys Ins
- Jeremiah Nanai
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Titans have conceded 104 points in their last three games at Cbus Super Stadium.
- The Cowboys have won seven of their last nine games against the Titans.
- Titans winger Phillip Sami has scored eight tries in his last nine games.
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored five tries in his last five games against the Titans.
- Titans centre AJ Brimson has scored six tries in his last six games against the Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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