SUNDAY APRIL 20th 2025
Titans v Raiders, Cbus Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans Look to Bounce Back Against Raiders in Sunday Sunshine Showdown
The Titans and Raiders are set for a must-watch clash on Sunday afternoon at Cbus Super Stadium, with sunny skies forecast and a high-intensity battle on the cards.
After falling to the Dragons last week and suffering back-to-back losses, Des Hasler’s Titans are desperate to turn things around in Round 7. The return of captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui from suspension is a major boost as they aim to climb the ladder in a tightly contested competition.
Titans
1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Tony Francis 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 14. Chris Randall 15. Klese Haas 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Arama Hau 19. Allan Fitzgibbon 20. Josiah Pahulu 21. Tom Weaver 22. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Out: Brock Gray (bench)
In: Sosefo Fifita (wing), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (lock), Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui (bench), Josiah Pahulu (reserve), Thomas Weaver (reserve), Jacob Alick (reserve)
Changes: Beau Fermor (centre to second row), Phillip Sami (wing to centre), Klese Haas (second row to bench), Chris Randall (lock to bench), Arama Hau (bench to reserve), Allan Fitzgibbon (bench to reserve)
Raiders Riding High as They Eye Fifth Straight Win Over Titans
The Raiders are brimming with confidence after a commanding Easter Sunday victory over the Eels, and they’ll be looking to extend their winning run this weekend.
However, back-to-back road trips to Darwin and the Gold Coast present a challenging travel schedule that Canberra will need to navigate.
The Raiders can take heart from recent history — they’ve won their past four clashes against the Titans and haven’t lost on the Gold Coast since 2018.
In team news, back-rower Zac Hosking returns to the side after missing four games with a hand injury, with Simi Sasagi shifting to the reserves in the only change from the team that defeated the Eels in Darwin.
Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Pasami Saulo 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Jed Stuart 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi
In: Zac Hosking (bench), Pasami Saulo (reserve), Jed Stuart (reserve), Trey Mooney (reserve), Danny Levi (reserve)
Changes: Josh Papalii (front row to bench), Corey Horsburgh (lock to front row), Morgan Smithies (bench to lock), Simi Sasagi (bench to reserve)
Referees: Adam Gee;Sideline Officials: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Daniel Schwass, Bunker, Grant Atkins.
KEY STATS
The Titans have lost three of their past four games at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Raiders have won nine of their past 10 games against the Titans.
Titans five-eighth AJ Brimson has scored four tries in his past three games.
Raiders second-rower Hudson Young has scored five tries in his past four games.
The Titans have not defeated the Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium since 2018.
Knights v Sharks, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights Look to Bounce Back with Key Inclusions After Tigers Rout
The Knights will be out to redeem themselves this round after a tough loss to the Tigers, who controlled the match from start to finish. The home side was kept scoreless until the final minute, when Fletcher Sharpe’s determined effort helped avoid a complete shutout.
There’s some good news on the selection front this week. Tyson Gamble returns from a back injury and slots into the No.7 jersey, while winger James Schiller is also back after clearing concussion protocols. Phoenix Crossland shifts from halfback to hooker, with Jayden Brailey moving to the bench.
Tyson Frizell has been named at prop, pushing Tyrone Thompson to the interchange. Matt Croker, who came off the bench last week, will start at lock this time around. Meanwhile, Matt Arthur drops out of the squad, and playmaker Jack Cogger has been listed among the reserves as he eyes a return from a finger injury.
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Brodie Jones 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Paul Bryan 20. Jack Cogger 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Jackson Hastings
In: James Schiller (wing), Tyson Gamble (halfback), Paul Bryan (reserve), Jack Cogger (reserve), Jackson Hastings (reserve)
Changes: Kyle McCarthy (wing to reserve), Phoenix Crossland (halfback to hooker), Tyrone Thompson (front row to bench), Jayden Brailey (hooker to bench), Tyson Frizell (lock to front row), Matthew Arthur (bench to reserve), Mat Croker (bench to lock)
Sharks Eyeing Another Win Over Knights as Key Players Return
Cronulla returns from their trip to Western Australia to host Newcastle at home. After a dramatic golden point win against the Knights last year, the Sharks will be aiming to secure another two points this time around.
In Round 24 of last season, Daniel Atkinson slotted the match-winning goal in extra time to seal the victory, but this weekend’s squad for the Hunter trip is expected to look different from the one that faced Newcastle last year.
Key player Addin Fonua-Blake, who sustained a groin injury in Perth and was forced off the field, is set to play this week. The Sharks will keep the same lineup that triumphed over Manly in their previous match. Centre Kayal Iro, however, is expected to be sidelined for another two weeks as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Jayden Berrell 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Billy Burns 22. Chris Veaila
Unchanged 1-17
In: Tuku Hau Tapuha (reserve), Jayden Berrell (reserve), Hohepa Puru (reserve), Billy Burns (reserve), Chris Vea’ila (reserve)
Referees: Ashley Klein;Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Kasey Badger, Bunker, Liam Kennedy.
KEY STATS
The Knights have the second-best defensive record in the competition.
The Sharks have won four of their past five games against the Knights.
The Knights have scored 10 points in their last three games.
Sharks second-rower Briton Nikora has scored four tries in his last three games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe has scored nine tries in seven games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Check out Monday’s games here!
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