The Gold Training Titans under-20s will be intact for tomorrow’s clash with the unbeaten leaders Wests Tigers after halfback Josh Fauid was passed fit to play the NRL curtain-raiser at Cbus Super Stadium (6.15pm Qld time).
Fauid, who had a shoulder injury, trained strongly with the team at Station Reserve (Robina) last night and is looking forward to joining Josh Rogers, who has been in good constructive form, in the halves.
Like their NRL counterparts, the Tigers have won their opening two matches and have played an expansive game, and Titans coach Ben Woolf knows that will be a danger if the defence of his side, that conceded 42 points against the Storm but still won, doesn’t improve.
“That’s the focus for us, just being more committed and consistent in defence after getting away with it last week,” Woolf said.
“And we have to control the ball better which obviously has an effect on how much defence we have to do.
“We have a few of the boys who have had two games at NYC level now so hopefully they are getting used to the pace and intensity of the game and the need to play for the whole 80 minutes.”
The Tigers are coming off a 34-30 victory against Manly at Leichhardt after beating the Warriors 24-12 in the opening round.
Both teams have some elusive attacking players and this will be the first time this season Titans fans get the chance to watch what is potentially an explosive Titans outside backs formation with Brian Kelly and Greg Leleisiuao, who trained with the NRL team in the pre-season, inside of wingers Tyronne Roberts-Davis and Phillip Sami and fullback Brayden McGrady who scored two tries against Melbourne.
The team is:
1- Brayden McGrady
2- Phillip Sami
3- Greg Leleisiuao
4- Brian Kelly
5- Tyronne Roberts-Davis
6- Josh Rogers
7- Josh Fauid
8- Kurt Bernard
9- Jordan Scott
10- Nathan Watts
11- Morgan Boyle
12- Jed Cartwright (capt)
13- Sam Swift
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14 – Ethan Roberts
15 – Max King
16 – Jerome Veve
17 – Simione Fatafahi
