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Match Preview

Bulldogs v Titans: Foxx in, RFM out; Schoupp back to face former club

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pan66.com
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A high scoring shootout is on the cards at Accor Stadium on Sunday as the Bulldogs and Titans look to bounce back after losses in Round 11.

Both sides boast speed to burn out wide with the likes of Jacob Kiraz, Josh Addo-Carr and Paul Alamoti set to match motors with Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Phil Sami and Jayden Campbell.

After winning three of their first five games under new coach Cameron Ciraldo the Bulldogs have won just one of their past six as injuries and inconsistency take their toll, but Addo-Carr's expected return from an ankle injury suffered on Good Friday is a boost.

Above and beyond his freakish finishing ability, Addo-Carr's will to win and experience have been sorely missed in recent weeks with two-time premiership winner Viliame Kikau also sidelined.

The Titans, meanwhile, have had little trouble scoring points (24 per game) but they have the second worst defence in the NRL and will need to remedy that quickly with clashes against the potent Rabbitohs and Broncos outfits coming up in the next month.

Gold Coast halfback Tanah Boyd, who debuted in the NRL 2019, is set to feature in his 50th NRL game.

"It's pretty special, a lot has happened in those 50 games," Boyd told pan66.com as he approached his milestone. "I have learnt a lot as a person in that time. 

"Fifty games is where I can build off and like they say, you are a first grader once you hit 50 and I feel like I am only going to learn more; and the more experience I get, the better I am going to get. I just want to keep playing and enjoy my footy."

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Team News

Bulldogs: Blake Wilson is a late addition to the bench after making his NRL debut in Round 11, taking the place of Josh Reynolds who drops back to be the replacement player. Kurtis Morrin replaced Raymond Faitala-Mariner (illness) on Saturday. Josh Addo-Carr makes his return from injury on the wing, while young playmaker Karl Oloapu gets a start at five-eighth. 

Titans: Aaron Schoupp returns to face his former side, joining the backline at centre in place of Alofiana Khan-Pereira who is being rested. Jojo Fifita shifts from centre to the wing. The side is otherwise as named mid-week, with Erin Clark returning after missing Round 11 with a finger injury. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham
    Fullback for Titans is number 1 Jayden Campbell
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
    Winger for Titans is number 4 Jojo Fifita
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti
    Centre for Titans is number 18 Aaron Schoupp
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
    Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Karl Oloapu
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Matt Burton
    Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
    Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    Hooker for Titans is number 9 Chris Randall
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior
    Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell
    2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
    2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Joe Stimson
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 16 Samuel Hughes
    Lock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Harrison Edwards
    Interchange for Titans is number 14 Kruise Leeming
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Jayden Okunbor
    Interchange for Titans is number 15 Erin Clark
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Blake Wilson
    Interchange for Titans is number 16 Klese Haas
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Kurtis Morrin
    Interchange for Titans is number 17 Joe Vuna

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 14 Josh Reynolds
    Replacement for Titans is number 2 Alofiana  Khan-Pereira 

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Ben Cummins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Titans have scored 26 points in each of their past five games, the first team in premiership history to post the same score in five straight games.
  • Josh Addo-Carr has scored eight tries in his past four games against the Titans.
  • The Bulldogs have lost four consecutive home games, and have conceded 107 points in their past three games at Accor Stadium. 
  • Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored 12 tries in his past nine games.
  • Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney has produced four 40-20 kicks in 2023, the most by any player in the NRL.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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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.