Round 4: Warriors v Titans preview
Titans look to defy unwanted history against bogey side
Producing a dominant performance in the opening round to lure die-hards and neutral observers alike into a false sense of security, the New Zealand Warriors once again proved last Saturday why they are the most frustrating side in the NRL.
Capable of brilliance and mediocrity in equal measure, the Warriors showed no signs of being the same side that qualified for the finals last year as they succumbed to an embarrassing 46-12 defeat at the hands of wooden spoon favourites, Manly, in Christchurch.
Returning to Auckland to face off against the last-placed Titans, coach Stephen Kearney will be hoping history serves as a fortuitous indicator of a much-improved performance following 14 wins from 16 matches against the Gold Coast since 2011.
On track to equal their worst start to a season after four rounds with another lacklustre showing, the Warriors will be eager to avoid a third consecutive loss in order to keep their finals aspirations in tact. Qualifying for September football just once after starting a year with a 1-3 record, the side's current defensive record makes for similarly bleak reading after conceding 86 points in three matches - their equal second worst start in history.
Winning four of five Friday night matches at Mt. Smart Stadium last season, 20-year-old Junior Kiwis star Chanel Harris-Tavita will make his NRL debut at the expense of Adam Keighran in the halves, while former Titans utility Karl Lawton replaces injured hooker Issac Luke who is out due to hamstring tightness. Ligi Sao has also been named on the bench for his first appearance of 2019.
Showing plenty of commitment last Sunday to narrowly go down against competition heavyweights, South Sydney, the Gold Coast Titans will conclude a run of three away matches in Auckland with the intent of getting off the bottom of the ladder.
Responding to suggestions of lacking self-belief from coach Garth Brennan following losses to Canberra and Cronulla over the opening fortnight, a gallant showing in Sydney saw the Titans go down 28-20 in a performance likely to have yielded a win against lesser teams.
Flying directly across the ditch in an effort to reduce fatigue ahead of the Round 4 encounter, the visitors will be hoping for a reversal of fortune having managed three wins from 11 appearances at Mt. Smart Stadium. As a result of that statistic, the Titans will need to flex their attacking muscles in order to come away with two competition points, having recorded their three wins when surpassing the Warriors 25 point average in clashes at the venue.
Taking an extended squad of 21 players to Auckland, injured halves duo Ashley Taylor and Tyrone Roberts have been named to start with AJ Brimson reverting to a bench utility role and Ryley Jacks relegated to jersey #20.
Last meeting: Round 20 2018 - Titans 36 Warriors 12
Who to watch: In a team that produced a substandard performance against Manly last week, the sole exception was Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Providing the Warriors with tremendous service from kick returns only for his teammates to produce insufficient effort in return, the 25-year-old will be expecting much more on Friday night as the Auckland based club fight to silence their critics. Second only to Blake Ferguson for running metres gained with an average of 200 per game, the reigning Dally M medallist will have an additional incentive to stand up against the Titans having been bamboozled by Phillip Sami when the two sides met on the Gold Coast last season.
Off-contract at season's end, Mitch Rein will need to be at his best over the next ten weeks in order to save his NRL career. Left out of the opening two rounds by coach Garth Brennan, the former St George Illawarra and Penrith hooker will be out to benefit from Nathan Peats' pectoral misfortune in order to earn a contract extension on the Gold Coast or risk the prospect of relocating to his fourth club since 2016. Previously representing Country twice during his time at the Dragons, the 28-year-old boasts considerable experience with over 150 appearances to his name, but will need to step up against the inconsistent Warriors for the sake of the Titans and himself.
The favourite: Despite last week's poor performance in Christchurch, the Warriors are expected to continue their dominant form against the Titans.
My tip: While a loss would condemn the Titans to their worst ever start to a season, the effort shown last Sunday should see the visitors come away with a much-needed win. Additionally, since coming into the competition in 2007, the Titans have played away matches in Round 4 on nine occasions - winning seven. Titans by 7.
