Titans v Sharks: Bai's time at lock; AFB props up pack
The Titans will be aiming to get a fast start when they host the Sharks this weekend, knowing how costly their poor opening proved to be against the Knights last round.
While still struggling to get the results they want this year, the Gold Coast had been on the improve, before some back-to-back poor performances seeing heavy losses, with coach Josh Hannay citing fatigue.
That carried into their match in Newcastle before they flicked a switch mid-way through the first half to mount a mini-comeback against the finals contenders. But it was too little too late and if they are to reap any rewards to close out this season, the side will need to be switched on from the start.
The Sharks come into this game off the back-to-back losses, both of them upsets that have cost the team their top four place for now. While they are still in the hunt, they will need to course-correct quickly, with plenty of challengers above and below looking for that coveted position on the ladder.
Last week against the Raiders, they were not able to overcome the early loss of in-form half Braydon Trindall, going down in a close 24-20 loss to the Raiders.
This week, they can ill afford to slip up against a Titans side playing for pride in front of their home fans.
Match: Titans v Sharks
Round 25 -
home Team
Titans
15th Position
away Team
Sharks
5th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Titans: Arama Hau has been recalled in the back row after playing Queensland Cup last weekend with Ipswich. Josh Patston suffered a head knock against the Knights and will sit out this week. Cooper Bai has been named to start at lock with Chris Randall moving to the bench. Hooker Luke Sommerton has been added to the interchange in place of Sam Verrills.
Sharks: The loss of five-eighth Braydon Trindall to a shoulder dislocation brings Niwhai Puru into the halves alongside Nicho Hynes. The 24-year-old played three games at halfback earlier in the season when Hynes was out with a calf injury. Prop Addin Fonua-Blake's return from suspension sees Oregon Kaufusi move to the bench.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano KiniFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Jaylan De GrootWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Jojo FifitaCentre for Sharks is number 3 Mawene Hiroti
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 AJ BrimsonCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip SamiWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden CampbellFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Niwhai Puru
-
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Lachlan IliasHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicho Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Oliver PascoeHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiProp for Sharks is number 10 Jesse Colquhoun
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Arama Hau2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Cooper BaiLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Kurtis MorrinInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
-
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Klese HaasInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Chris RandallInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
-
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Bodhi SharpleyInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
-
Interchange for Titans is number 18 Luke SommertonInterchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru
-
Interchange for Titans is number 19 Siale FaeamaniInterchange for Sharks is number 19 Braden Uele
Reserves
-
Reserve for Titans is number 20 Adam ChristensenReserve for Sharks is number 20 Liam Ison
-
Reserve for Titans is number 21 Jett LiuReserve for Sharks is number 21 Samuel Stonestreet
-
Reserve for Titans is number 22 Tony FrancisReserve for Sharks is number 22 Toby Rudolf
Titans Ins
- Adam Christensen
- Arama Hau
- Jett Liu
- Luke Sommerton
- Tony Francis
Sharks Ins
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Liam Ison
- Niwhai Puru
- Toby Rudolf
Titans Outs
- Josh Patston
- Sam Verrills
Sharks Ins
- Braydon Trindall
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Titans have not defeated the Sharks at Cbus Super Stadium since 2017.
- The Sharks have won 12 of their last 13 games against the Titans.
- The Titans have conceded 108 points in their last three games.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored seven tries in his last six games against the Titans.
- Titans winger Phillip Sami requires one try to break Anthony Don’s club try scoring record.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
