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
16th Position
away Team
Sharks
5th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Team News
Titans: Klese Haas and Kurtis Morrin join the starting side at prop and second row respectively in the 90-minute squad update. Moeaki Fotuaika and Arama Hau, who were originally named to start, revert to the interchange. Cooper Bai was named to start at lock on Tuesday with Chris Randall moving to the bench. Winger Phillip Sami requires one try to break Anthony Don’s club tryscoring record (85). No changes in Saturday's 24-hour update.
Sharks: Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has bolstered the size of his starting pack in the 90-minute squad update, with Tom Hazleton named at lock and Cameron McInnes shifting to the bench. 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. Sam Stonestreet was added to the bench on Saturday with Braden Uele dropping out.
Match: Titans v Sharks
Round 25 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Sharks
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 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiProp 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 15 Klese HaasProp for Sharks is number 10 Jesse Colquhoun
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 14 Kurtis Morrin2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Cooper BaiLock for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 8 Moeaki FotuaikaInterchange for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Chris RandallInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
-
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Bodhi SharpleyInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns
-
Interchange for Titans is number 18 Luke SommertonInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
-
Reserve for Titans is number 11 Arama HauReserve for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru
-
Reserve for Titans is number 19 Siale FaeamaniReserve for Sharks is number 21 Samuel Stonestreet
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.
