Keeping the momentum rolling will be in focus for both the One New Zealand Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans in today's round seven NRL contest at Go Media Stadium (5.00pm kick-off).
It's a day when both teams also play for the Zae Wallace Shield in honour of the former Titan and New Zealand schoolboy star who fell seriously ill in 2019 and lost his battle with an infection at the age of just 20.
The Zae Wallace Shield has been at stake every time the two clubs have met since 2019, the Warriors reclaiming the trophy with a 32-18 win in Robina last August.
The Warriors returned to form with a dominant 38-14 win over Melbourne last Saturday and now reset to chase success against challenging rival Gold Coast.
Jackson Ford has been a revelation this season and will look to continue the form that has seen him surge to the top of the Dally M standings.
The prop headlines a physical pack also featuring James Fisher-Harris and young stars Leka Halasima and Demitric Vaimauga.
Halfback and former Titan Tanah Boyd has been pulling the strings in attack, unlocking a talented backline led by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
The battle of the backs is sure to be an entertaining one after Gold Coast piled on the points in last week's 52-10 win over the Eels.
Keano Kini was at his scintillating best, while halves Jayden Campbell and Lachlan Ilias continue to build an impressive partnership.
Given the unpredictable nature of this year's competition, this is sure to be an entertaining tussle between two in-form teams.
Match: Warriors v Titans
Round 7 -
home Team
Warriors
3rd Position
away Team
Titans
15th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: Star prop and co-captain Mitchell Barnett is firming to make an early comeback from a fractured thumb and has been listed on the reserves alongside Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who is hoping to return from a neck injury. No such luck for Tanner Stowers-Smith, who succumbs to a hamstring injury but Kurt Capewell is on track to return from a calf injury and will line up in the back row. Morgan Gannon and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava dropped out of the squad in the 24-hour update.
Titans: AJ Brimson will miss the match as he remains in Australia for the birth of his second child. Chris Randall (calf) has also dropped out on Friday. Jaylan De Groot comes in for his first game of the season in the centres and Klese Haas returns from a quad injury to take over at lock. Zane Harrison and Josh Patston have been added to the six-man bench.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Titans is number 2 Sialetili Faeamani
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Roger Tuivasa-SheckCentre for Titans is number 3 Jojo Fifita
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Titans is number 18 Jaylan De Groot
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Lachlan Ilias
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Titans is number 7 Jayden Campbell
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Titans is number 8 Kurtis Morrin
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Arama Hau
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Titans is number 19 Klese Haas
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam HealeyInterchange for Titans is number 14 Oliver Pascoe
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Marata NiukoreInterchange for Titans is number 15 Cooper Bai
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Titans is number 16 Moeaki Fotuaika
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jacob LabanInterchange for Titans is number 17 Adam Christensen
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Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Luke HansonInterchange for Titans is number 20 Zane Harrison
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Interchange for Warriors is number 22 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadInterchange for Titans is number 21 Josh Patston
Reserves
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Mitchell BarnettReserve for Titans is number 22 Jensen Taumoepeau
Warriors Ins
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Kurt Capewell
- Mitchell Barnett
Titans Ins
- Jensen Taumoepeau
- Josh Patston
- Klese Haas
Warriors Outs
- Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
- Tanner Stowers-Smith
Titans Ins
- AJ Brimson
- Chris Randall
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have not defeated the Titans in New Zealand since 2019.
- The Titans have won six of their last eight games against the Warriors.
- Warriors second-rower Leka Halasima has scored nine tries in his last nine games at Go Media Stadium.
- The Titans are chasing back-to-back away wins for the first time since 2023.
- Warriors winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has scored nine tries in his last 12 games against the Titans.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
