You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
Match Preview

Warriors v Titans: Johnson ruled out; Sami good to go

Author
pan66.com
Timestamp

Saturday night will see the Warriors and Titans close the book on forgettable 2022 campaigns, which sees them approach the final round of the regular season in 14th and 15th place respectively. 

The Gold Coast avoided any chance of claiming the wooden spoon with a victory over the Knights last week, and could still climb as high as 12th if they can win in round 25. 

After back-to-back weeks where they have given up more than 40 points, the Warriors will just be hoping to put on a respectable performance for their home fans. 

The Titans were two-point winners when they met earlier in round 2, while these two sides met in round 25 last year as well, with the Gold Coast running away with it 44-0. 

Sportsbet Betting preview: Warriors v Titans

The rundown

Team news

Warriors: Eliesa Katoa will start and Bunty Afoa goes to the bench in a game day swap after several changes during the week. Halfback Shaun Johnson has been ruled out after suffering a calf injury against the Panthers. Daejarn Asi is the new man into the halves in his place. Euan Aitken (personal reasons), Jesse Arthars (quad) and Wayde Egan (back spasms) return to the side but Marcelo Montoya (knee) and Rocco Berry (toe) were ruled out on Thursday. Edward Kosi moves from the extended bench to take Montoya's place on the left wing and Viliami Vailea has been brought back into the side to start at centre.

Titans: Sam McIntyre has dropped out an hour before kick-off due to arm injury, replaced in the starting side by Jarrod Wallace. Centre Phillip Sami returns for the trip to Auckland after missing Round 24 due to a head knock. He takes over from Brian Kelly, who has been suspended for a dangerous tackle.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
    Fullback for Titans is number 1 Jayden Campbell
  • Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
    Winger for Titans is number 2 Greg Marzhew
  • Centre for Warriors is number 3 Jesse Arthars
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Jojo Fifita
  • Centre for Warriors is number 24 Viliami Vailea
    Centre for Titans is number 4 Phillip Sami
  • Winger for Warriors is number 22 Edward Kosi
    Winger for Titans is number 5 Corey Thompson
  • Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 AJ Brimson
  • Halfback for Warriors is number 20 Daejarn Asi
    Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Forwards

  • Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
    Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
  • Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
    Hooker for Titans is number 18 Jarrod Wallace
  • Prop for Warriors is number 10 Tohu Harris
    Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken
    2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Josh Curran
    2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
  • Lock for Warriors is number 16 Eliesa Katoa
    Lock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange

  • Interchange for Warriors is number 13 Bunty Afoa
    Interchange for Titans is number 14 Paul Turner
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
    Interchange for Titans is number 15 Herman Ese'ese
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Ben Murdoch-Masila
    Interchange for Titans is number 16 Jaimin Jolliffe
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
    Interchange for Titans is number 17 Klese Haas

Reserves

  • Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Jack Murchie
    Replacement for Titans is number 19 Tony Francis

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Key match-up

Tohu Harris v Tino Fa'asuamaleaui: He's got the 10 on his back, but you could be forgiven for thinking Harris was playing halfback last week after he laid on a pair of line breaks and a try with deft touches. Big Tino meanwhile was outstanding as the Titans picked up their fifth win of the year, leading all Gold Coast players in tackles made (35) and metres gained (257). 

Stack Attack

The Titans don't like travelling to Auckland at all, and haven't won a game in their last four games at Mt Smart Stadium, stretching back to 2016. In 12 total matches at the venue they've won just three times. That will be good news to the Warriors, whose only two wins in the last four months have come back on New Zealand soil. 

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.