The One New Zealand Warriors produced a great escape in Newcastle last Sunday to retain their four-point break over the fifth-placed Broncos but it's not a habit they will want to slip into as the finals draw ever closer.
All seemed lost after Tanah Boyd's missed penalty goal in the 80th minute but they got the ball back from the ensuing line dropout and Leka Halasima came up with a freakish solo try to snatch a 20-15 victory.
Back on home soil in round 21 they will have another monster crowd behind them as they confront a Titans outfit coming off a bizarre finish of their own last weekend.
After looking on track for a morale-boosting win when AJ Brimson scored with 13 minutes to play, the Titans gave up a try to Jeral Skelton and a last-ditch field goal to Adam Doueihi to snatch a 20-21 defeat from the jaws of victory.
The Titans sit last with seven rounds remaining and locked in a desperate battle to spare Des Hasler the embarrassment of his first ever wooden spoon as a coach.
Match: Warriors v Titans
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
4th Position
away Team
Titans
16th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returns from a knee injury at fullback so Taine Tuaupiki moves to 18th man in the only change to the side that produced a great escape in Newcastle last Sunday. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update.
Titans: A change on Friday with Sean Mullany coming in at hooker in place of Sam Verrills, who will stay in Australia for the birth of his first child. Skipper Tino Fa'asuamaelaui (knee) and forward David Fifita (ankle) are out of Des Hasler's 500th game as coach. Klese Haas will start at lock while Josh Patston, Jacob Alick and Iszac Fa'asuamaelaui come on to a new-look bench. Arama Hau is 18th man.
Match: Warriors v Titans
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Titans is number 2 Jaylan De Groot
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam PompeyCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Kurt CapewellCentre for Titans is number 4 Jojo Fifita
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-SheckWinger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Titans is number 7 Jayden Campbell
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Titans is number 11 Chris Randall
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Titans is number 10 Jaimin Jolliffe
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Titans is number 14 Jacob Alick-Wiencke
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Titans is number 13 Klese Haas
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Te Maire MartinInterchange for Titans is number 15 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jacob LabanInterchange for Titans is number 16 Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Titans is number 17 Josh Patston
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Titans is number 19 Sean Mullany
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Samuel HealeyReplacement for Titans is number 18 Arama Hau
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have won five from seven in New Zealand this season.
- The Titans have won five of their last six games against the Warriors.
- Warriors second-rower Leka Halasima has scored five tries in his last six games.
- Titans mentor Des Hasler will reach the milestone of 500 games as premiership coach.
- Warriors forward Marata Niukore will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
