NRL TODAY : ROUND 16, GOLD COAST TITANS v NZ WARRIORS

Rugby League

SATURDAY JUNE 22nd 2024 GOLD COAST

Warriors Seek Momentum Against Struggling Titans

The Warriors aim to secure their fourth win in five matches as they continue their 2024 resurgence, facing a Titans team now at the bottom of the NRL ladder.

Titans Drop to Last Place, Look to Rebound at Home

After their loss to the Tigers, Des Hasler’s Titans have dropped to last place and need to regroup on home soil against a Warriors side still stinging from squandering a 14-0 lead against the Storm.

Hasler Frustrated by Missed Opportunities

Hasler could hardly believe his team failed to convert nine line breaks into a victory at Leichhardt Oval, falling 18-10 to a desperate Tigers team that had lost nine consecutive games.

Warriors’ Mixed Fortunes Against Melbourne Highlight Challenge

The Warriors burst out of the blocks in front of a raucous home crowd in Auckland but offered little in attack in the second half, extending their losing streak against Melbourne to 16 matches.

Experienced Forwards Missing, RTS Returns to Bolster Warriors

With Kurt Capewell called up to the Maroons side for Origin Two and Mitch Barnett listed as the 18th man for NSW, the Warriors are missing a couple of experienced forwards. But RTS is back which must help steady things.

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck,  4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson , 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Marata Niukore 12. Dylan Walker , 13. Tohu Harris 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Jacob Laban 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Tom Ale,  18. Bunty Afoa 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Moala Graham-Taufa 22. Freddy Lussick 23. Demitric Sifakula

Titans Face Challenges Without Maroons Prop

The Titans will be without Maroons prop Moeaki Fotuaika, but David Fifita is expected to return from an ankle injury.

Titans Hope to Build on Previous Victory Over Warriors

The Titans have won just one game at Cbus Super Stadium in 2024, but their victory over the Warriors in Auckland in Round 8 gives them hope of climbing out of the cellar with a win on Saturday. They have plenty of pace in Kini, Campbell, Khan-Pereira, and Foran is playing out of his skin.

Titans

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita , 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Chris Randall 10. Josiah Pahulu,  11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu , 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Joe Stimson 18. Tanah Boyd 19. Jacob Alick-Wiencke,  20. Ken Maumalo 21. Arama Hau 22. Jaylan De Groot

Key Match Facts

The Titans have won four of their past five games against the Warriors.

Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson has won 18 of his 21 games against the Titans.

The Titans have won only one of six games at Cbus Super Stadium this season.

The Warriors have lost three of their past four away games.

Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored 12 tries in 15 games at Cbus Super Stadium.

Referees. Adam Gee, Touch Judges, David Munro, Matt Noyen, Bunker, Kasey Badger.

Prediction

Lets hope the Bunker is not needed with the worst official in the NRL, trying to get any decisions right.

She is hopeless.

The return of David Fifita is pivotal for the Titans, as it often feels like their chances of winning hinge on his presence. The dynamic back-rower averages 152 metres per game and has contributed 4 tries, 5 line breaks, and 9 line break assists this season. Importantly, he has featured in all three of the Titans’ victories, including their triumph over the Warriors in New Zealand earlier in Round 8.

Meanwhile, the Warriors will be banking on a stronger performance from Shaun Johnson. Johnson had a tough outing kicking and running against the Storm, his first match back since a pectoral injury in Round 10. He appeared rusty to observers. Despite tallying 9 try assists in his first 10 games of the season, the Warriors are counting on Johnson to elevate his playmaking after a subpar week.

Warriors, just.

Dolphins vs Storm

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