Roosters v Titans preview

Sydney Roosters v Gold Coast Titans
Central Coast Stadium - Sunday 2:00pm

The high-flying Roosters take on the injury-depleted Titans on the Central Coast.

Even without their two best front rowers and speedster Michael Jennings, the Roosters prevailed in an enthralling Monday night encounter over the Dragons. Coming away with a five-point win, Trent Robinson's men were able to continue their strong form this season, winning their fifth match from their last six encounters. While Jared Waerea-Hargreaves remains unavailable, Michael Jennings and Sam Moa come back into the side, forcing Brendan Elliott and mid-season recruit Suaia Matagi onto an extended bench. Since 2010 both sides have managed four victories apiece, while the Titans hold a 7-5 advantage overall.

Injuries continue to mount for the battling Titans, after losing halfback Kane Elgey and hooker Keirran Moseley in the previous two matches, star five-eighth Aidan Sezer suffered a hamstring tear against the Warriors leaving Daniel Mortimer as the only recognised playmaker in the squad. After missing last weeks loss, Nate Myles return in the front row for the Gold Coast, however Ryan James retains the captaincy after starring in recent weeks with several strong performances in the second row. Former Rooster Nene MacDonald will face off against his former club only weeks after securing a mid-season release, the talented Papua New Guinean international will be out make a statement after being overlooked by his former club earlier in the year.

Last Meeting: Round 22, 2014 - Sydney Roosters 26 Gold Coast Titans 18

Who to watch: After earning a spot in the starting lineup following several seasons coming off the bench, Issac Liu delivered a phenomenal performance against the Dragons on Monday night. Running for a season-best 126 metres, the Samoan forward stood up to the challenge of covering the loss of Waerea-Hargreaves and Moa by laying the foundation for the Roosters to build their win around. Returning to lock against the Titans, Liu will be out to star in order to keep the clubs resurgence continuing and cement a coveted top-four finish.

With so many players out, Sunday afternoon may well prove to be the match that saves Dave Taylor's career with the Titans. Having been dropped for the Round 14 clash with Canterbury, Taylor has been put on notice that unless he improves he may have to find another club. At his best Taylor is arguably the most destructive forward in the NRL, but so far in 2015 the Australian and Queensland representative has been unable to produce the form that saw him lured to the Gold Coast from the Rabbitohs. If the Titans are to win Taylor will need to star.

The favourite: The Roosters come into the Round 16 fixture as one of the shortest-priced teams of the season.

My tip: While teams like the Broncos and Cowboys sit atop the competition ladder, the Roosters remain the team most likely to claim the 2015 Premiership. Roosters by 20.

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. James Maloney 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Dylan Napa 9. Jake Friend 10. Sam Moa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Isaac Liu
Interchange: 14. Jackson Hastings 15. Aidan Guerra 16. Kane Evans 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Brendan Elliott 19. Suaia Matagi

1. David Mead 2. Anthony Don 3. James Roberts 4. Nene Macdonald 5. Kevin Gordon 6. Josh Hoffman 7. Daniel Mortimer 8. Luke Douglas 9. Chad Redman 10. Nate Myles 11. Ryan James 12. Dave Taylor 13. Eddy Pettybourne
Interchange: 14. Agnatius Paasi 15. Mark Ioane 16. Lachlan Burr 17. Matt Robinson 18. Matt White

Referees: Gavin Morris, Adam Devcich; Sideline Officials: David Ryan, Tim Roby; Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Daniel Irvine;

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