NRL: NZ Warriors v Gold Coast Titans - what you need to know

NZ Warriors v Gold Coast Titans

Kickoff 7.30pm Saturday, 23 August

Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Live blog updates on RNZ Sport

History

NZ Warriors have won 20 of their 35 previous meetings with Gold Coast Titans - that winning percentage (57.1) is second only to their alltime success record against Wests Tigers (58.9).

Recent history is quite a different matter.

The Titans have taken out six of the last seven encounters, including the last three, when they sat at the bottom off the NRL ladder.

Two of those six wins were absolute demolitions. Fullback Jayden Campbell and forward David Fifita had two tries each, when Gold Coast prevailed 44-0 at home in 2021, while flying winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira had four and Campbell converted 11/11 in a 66-6 romp across the ditch last June.

Only four weeks ago, the Warriors raced out to a 10-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes, but then conceded the next 24 points, as the Titans won 24-16.

"I think their style is really exciting," said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. "A lot of those performances - barring one, where we got smacked - we've looked like the team on top, but we lost our way and they've capitalised.

"You have to play the whole 80 minutes, because if you take one play off, they absolutely crucify you. I reckon that's been a lot of the reason they've had so much success."

The Warriors' biggest win came in 2014, when English fullback Sam Tomkins scored two tries and Shaun Johnson converted 7/7 in a 42-0 result at Mt Smart.

Form

After a three-game losing slump, the Warriors finally found a way to win 14-10 against St George-Illawarra Dragons at home last week, taking advantage of their depleted opponents, who lost three forwards to concussion within a few minutes midway through the first half.

The performance wasn't convincing and they had to withstand another last-minute breakout that threatened to snatch victory back.

"Everyone's saying how off we were, but the last 20 minutes, we completed at 100 percent, our kicking game was the best it had been all night and we were absolutely ruthless where we put the opposition," Webster said. "There's so much good about our footy, it's just concentration moments that are killing us."

A win here or a Dolphins loss against Manly Sea Eagles would clinch a playoff sport for the Warriors, while a win would also consolidate a top-four spot, with a shot at a second life in the postseason.

Tabletopping Canberra Raiders did them a favour by knocking off four-time defending champions Penrith Panthers on Friday, but Cronulla Sharks have already moved past them with bye points and a loss here would still leave the Warriors vulnerable to Brisbane Broncos, who have Newcastle Knights on Sunday.

After their Mt Smart success, Gold Coast almost toppled the Panthers, forcing extra time before finally succumbing. They then lost narrowly to South Sydney and fell hard 54-22 against Cronulla Sharks last week.

They are still at the foot of the table, two points behind the Knights, but that hasn't stopped them getting up in the past.

Teams

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Demitric Vaimauga, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 17. Leka Halasima

Reserves: 20. Sam Healey, 21. Bunty Afoa

The loss of workaholic front-rower Jackson Ford to suspension will be a major blow to Webster, but he gets Origin second-rower Kurt Capewell and utility Te Maire Martin back from concussion protocols.

Another huge addition - if he makes it to the startline - is centre Rocco Berry, whose various injuries have hamstrung - see what we did there - the Warriors backline, forcing players out of position to cover his absence.

"We've handled it really well at times and other times, it's stung us a bit, but we're good enough to handle that," Webster said. "There's been a bit of disruption there - at times, we've handled it well and other times, we wish we had handled it better."

Demitric Vaimauga is promoted to start at prop, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will move from the midfield to fullback, leaving no room for Taine Tuaupiki. Former Titans halfback Tanah Boyd retains his No.7 jersey, despite Martin's return.

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson, 2. Jaylan de Groot, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. JoJo Fifita, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Jayden Campbell, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Chris Randall, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Tino Fa'assuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Keano Kini, 15. Klese Haas, 16. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, 17. Josh Patston

Reserves: 19. Tukimihia Simpkins, 22. Tony Francis

Titans coach Des Hasler also brings centres Brian Kelly (concussion) and JoJo Fifita (ankle) back from injury, allowing second-rower Beau Fermor and winger Phillip Sami to return to their natural positions.

Former Kangaroos and NSW Origin prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard will start in the front row, with Jaimin Jolliffe gone for the rest of the season.

Player to watch

Whether he's at fullback or in the halves, Jayden Campbell - son of original Titan Preston Campbell - is a bona fide gamebreaker.

He's stung the Warriors in the past, so he's someone they must have a plan to neutralise.

Kiwi to watch

Fullback Keano Kini impressed in his NZ international debut last year, despite his slight stature, but he's missed most of this season with injury.

He's back. The Titans don't quite know what to do with him, so they've stuck him on the bench for now, but if he comes into the game late, he could sting the Warriors with his pace and elusiveness.

What will happen

Time the Warriors put their bogey side to rest and end any questions over their playoff readiness. Warriors by 10.

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