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Match Preview

Titans v Eels: Proctor late withdrawal; Arthur retains same 17

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pan66.com
Timestamp

It's only round two but the Titans have to make a statement on home turf after going down to the Raiders last week.

They looked like they were in for a hiding at half-time but a couple of positional changes worked in their favour and rookie coach Justin Holbrook will be looking to build on what was a promising second-half performance.

Titans fans endured a miserable 2019 campaign and might quickly lose interest in 2020 if they don't like what they see on Sunday night.

The Eels opened their 2020 campaign with a win over the Bulldogs but had to fight every inch of the way and will be looking to improve in a few areas against the Titans.

The Rundown

Team news

Titans: Tyrone Peachey has been dropped to the bench, with Brian Kelly getting the nod to start in the centres. The other change was Moeaki Fotuaika taking Jaiman Jolliffe's place on the bench. AJ Brimson (back) and Shannon Boyd (shoulder) were a chance to play after being initially named in the squad but the pair was trimmed from the reserves on Saturday. Jolliffe and Sam Stone were the last two cut an hour before kick-off.

Eels: Coach Brad Arthur would've been pleased to see none of his players picked up any injuries in the bruising round one clash with the Bulldogs. There were no changes to his starting 17 as of Saturday evening, with Ray Stone and Oregon Kaufusi cut from the reserves. David Gower and George Jennings were omitted an hour before kick-off.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Titans is number 1 Phillip Sami
    Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
  • Winger for Titans is number 2 Anthony Don
    Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
  • Centre for Titans is number 3 Kallum Watkins
    Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael Jennings
  • Centre for Titans is number 4 Brian Kelly
    Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
  • Winger for Titans is number 5 Dale Copley
    Winger for Eels is number 5 Blake Ferguson
  • Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Tyrone Roberts
    Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
  • Halfback for Titans is number 7 Ashley Taylor
    Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

  • Prop for Titans is number 8 Jarrod Wallace
    Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan  Campbell-Gillard 
  • Hooker for Titans is number 9 Mitch Rein
    Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Titans is number 10 Sam Lisone
    Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
  • 2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
    2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
  • 2nd Row for Titans is number 16 Tyrone Peachey
    2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson
  • Lock for Titans is number 13 Jai Arrow
    Lock for Eels is number 13 Nathan Brown

Interchange

  • Interchange for Titans is number 14 Nathan Peats
    Interchange for Eels is number 14 Brad   Takairangi
  • Interchange for Titans is number 15 Jai Whitbread
    Interchange for Eels is number 15 Marata Niukore
  • Interchange for Titans is number 17 Moeaki Fotuaika
    Interchange for Eels is number 16 Kane Evans
  • Interchange for Titans is number 18 Jaimin Jolliffe
    Interchange for Eels is number 17 Peni Terepo

Match Officials

  • Referee: Henry Perenara
  • Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Touch Judge: Nick Morel
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

Ash Taylor had some bright moments against the Raiders but probably wasn't involved enough in the first half when the game got away from the Titans. Mitch Moses wasn't able to put his stamp on the game against the Bulldogs in the manner he would've liked and will be keen for an improved showing against Taylor.

Where it'll be won and lost

The battle of the halves could be decisive, while Holbrook has to give Tyrone Peachey the green light to trust his instincts and take what the defence gives him. The Titans have to match Parra up front and look for Phil Sami to create space with his lethal left step. The Eels will be looking for big wingers Blake Ferguson and Maika Sivo to get involved as often as possible, while speedy centres Michael Jennings and Waqa Blake have to be closely marked.

Brett Kimmorley says

I didn't see anything from the Titans last week that suggested much has changed. They missed a lot of tackles, and I think once you highlight that on a video Parramatta can take advantage. The Eels were poor as well in round one, but they'll have a higher completion rate this game I imagine. If they earn the right to play football, I think they've got plenty of points in them. Eels by 14.

Stat Attack

Mitch Moses had a perfect day with the boot in last year's only game between the Eels and Titans, kicking six from six. Parra led 12-6 at half-time in that round 22 clash and overpowered the home team after the break to prevail 36-12. Mid-season recruit Waqa Blake scored twice for the Eels.

And another thing…

Justin Holbrook is the Titans' seventh coach since the club joined the NRL in 2007. John Cartwright was in charge from 2007-14, followed by Neil Henry (2014-17). Garth Brennan was at the helm in 2018 and a portion of 2019, while Craig Hodges (2017, '19), Luke Burt ('19) and Terry Matterson ('17) have all had short stints as interim coaches.

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