NRL.com's Round 23 preview: Titans v Warriors

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 4 Aug 2023, 05:01 PM

The Titans kept themselves in the finals hunt with an upset win over the Cowboys and will need to be every bit as committed in defence again on Friday night if they're to keep the Warriors in check.

The 22-13 victory in front of their home fans ended a four-game losing streak and breathed new life into a season that was threatening to slip away from the men from the glitter strip.

With games against the Warriors, Sharks, Panthers, Storm and Bulldogs to come, sneaking into the finals will be no easy task, but the Titans know they have the firepower to score points provided they can keep their defence in order.

The Warriors are finals-bound and looking every bit a genuine contender with Shaun Johnson in sublime form in the No.7 and a posse of tryscoring threats capable of breaking down even the best defensive units.

A top-four finish and a double chance beckon for Andrew Webster's men as they look to put the icing on a superb season and take momentum into September with five very winnable games to come.

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Team news

Titans: Several late changes for the home side with Jayden Campbell named to start at centre and Aaron Schoupp moving to the bench. Meanwhile a switch at hooker sees Chris Randall starting and Sam Verrills shifting to the interchange. Fullback AJ Brimson (ribs) is good to go after scans cleared him of serious injury but centre Jojo Fifita will miss the game with an ankle injury. Skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has one more match to serve on his suspension.

Warriors: A late change on game day sees Jazz Tevaga join the side, replacing Bunty Afoa on the bench. Tevaga was named on the reserves before being included in the side an hour prior to kick off to play his first game since injuring his calf in Round 8. Marata Niukore is good to go after suffering a head knock in Round 21.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Friday 4 Aug

Full Time

Titans

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Titans is number 14 Jayden Campbell

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
Centre for Titans is number 4 Aaron Schoupp

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Titans is number 15 Chris Randall

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Titans is number 10 Isaac Liu

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Joe Stimson

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
Lock for Titans is number 13 Erin Clark

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris

Interchange

Interchange for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Klese Haas

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bayley Sironen
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Josh Curran
Interchange for Titans is number 18 Keano Kini

Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Jazz Tevaga

Reserves

Replacement for Titans is number 19 Jacob Alick
Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:42 AM

Stat attack

The Warriors have a win and a loss coming off the bye in 2023 - losing to the Broncos 26-22 in Round 13 after their first bye and belting the Dragons 48-18 in Round 17 after the second bye.
Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake leads the NRL for post-contact metres with 1208 at an average of 63.5 per game.
Titans winger Phil Sami is third iin the NRL for tackle breaks with 100 from his 18 games.
The Titans have won four of their past five games against the Warriors.
Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 14 tries in his past nine games.
Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored five tries in his past six games.
The Warriors have scored 154 points in their past four away games.
Titans utility Jayden Campbell has scored three tries in three games against the Warriors