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 tonight if they're to keep the One New Zealand 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 One New Zealand 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 One New Zealand 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.
But Webster is well aware tonight's only match of the season between his side and the Titans is a challenge posing real danger.
Match: Titans v Warriors
Round 23 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Titans is number 14 Jayden CampbellFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
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Centre for Titans is number 4 Aaron SchouppCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip SamiWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran ForanFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
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Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
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Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Titans is number 15 Chris RandallHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Titans is number 10 Isaac LiuProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
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2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
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2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Joe Stimson2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
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Lock for Titans is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
Interchange
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Interchange for Titans is number 9 Sam VerrillsInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
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Interchange for Titans is number 16 Klese HaasInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Bayley Sironen
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Interchange for Titans is number 17 Iszac Fa'asuamaleauiInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Josh Curran
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Interchange for Titans is number 18 Keano KiniInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Jazz Tevaga
Reserves
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Replacement for Titans is number 19 Jacob Alick
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Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Team news
Titans: 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. Aaron Schoupp joins the backline in Fifita's absence. Skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has one more match to serve on his suspension. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour update.
One New Zealand Warriors: Coach Andrew Webster has named the same 17 that downed the Raiders in Round 21 with Marata Niukore good to go after suffering a head knock in that match. Jazz Tevaga is nearing a return from a calf injury and remained in the squad when it was trimmed to 19 on Thursday. Tevaga has played just six games this season, the last of those in round 8. Bayley Sironen makes his 50th appearance for the club.
Stat attack
- The One New Zealand Warriors have a win and a loss coming off the bye in 2023 - losing to the Broncos 22-26 in round 13 after their first bye and belting the Dragons 48-18 in round 17 after the second bye.
- One New Zealand 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 One New Zealand Warriors.
- One New Zealand 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.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
