Round 7: Gold Coast v South Sydney preview
Unlikely match-up looms as the dark horse clash of the round
The Gold Coast Titans will be looking to bounce back in a big way as they take on the high-flying South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday evening at CBUS Super Stadium.
Gaining plenty of plaudits for their attacking prowess during the opening rounds of the season, the Gold Coast Titans will be determined to prove their premiership credentials against one of the heavyweights of the league.
Suffering a humbling 36-0 defeat at the hands of the Sea Eagles six days earlier in Mudgee, coach Justin Holbrook will be urging his players to move on from the disappointment of last week and focus on defeating a top eight team for the first time this season.
Sitting inside the top eight after six rounds for the first time since 2014, the Titans have been highly impressive with emphatic wins over the Broncos, Cowboys and Knights, while leaving a lot of room for improvement during losses against the Warriors, Raiders and Sea Eagles.
Gaining mixed news on the selection front with Anthony Don returning in place of Jonus Pearson on the wing, Queensland representative Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is set to miss the next fortnight after accepting an early guilty plea for a shoulder charge. Former Tigers forward Sam McIntyre is set to make his club debut off the bench.
Recording a memorable win in golden point last week, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will be treating Friday night as a danger game.
Downing the Tigers 18-14 last Saturday after Tom Burgess powered his was to the try line in the 81st minute, coach Wayne Bennett will be wary of the Titans following the suspension of in-form fullback Latrell Mitchell until mid-May.
Holding a dominant record over their opponents with 10 wins from their past 12 clashes, as well as coming into the match with five consecutive victories at CBUS Super Stadium, the Rabbitohs have recovered from a poor opening night loss to the Storm before growing in confidence with five straight wins over the Sea Eagles, Roosters, Bulldogs, Broncos and Tigers.
Set to be without Mitchell (suspension) and Josh Mansour (hamstring), Alex Johnston will shift to fullback at fullback while emerging speedsters Jaxson Paulo and Steven Marsters will come into the backline. Keaon Koloamatangi returns from suspension in place of Jacob Host.
Last meeting: Round 5 2020 - Rabbitohs 32 Titans 12
Who to watch: Embodying the improvements made at the Titans since the appointment of Justin Holbrook at the start of last year, outside back Corey Thompson has been one of the side's most consistent performers. Providing great service in the NRL and Super League since debuting in first grade back in 2014, the 30-year-old winger has averaged a try and 190 running metres per game this season. Approaching a century of games in the Australia after penning a deal on the Gold Coast until the end of 2022, look for Thompson to give the home side every chance of downing the Rabbitohs for the first time in five years.
Making a name for himself at the Titans as one of the hardest working players in the league, Jai Arrow will return to CBUS Super Stadium on Friday night determined to continue the Rabbitohs strong start to 2021. Currently biding his time off the bench after spending the past three seasons as a starting forward, the 25-year-old Queensland representative has provided plenty of impact since reuniting with Wayne Bennett with 130 metres and 25 tackles on average each week. Contracted to South Sydney until the end of 2024, Arrow will have no shortage of motivation on Friday night against his former teammates.
The favourite: Coming into the contest off the back of five consecutive wins and a dominant record over their opponents, the Rabbitohs are expected to have too much class for the Titans.
My tip: While the Titans have shown themselves capable of bullying weaker teams into submission, they have yet to assert their credentials against the elite teams of the premiership. The loss of Latrell Mitchell will be a challenge for the Rabbitohs to overcome, but the class remaining throughout the playing ranks should be able to get the job done regardless. South Sydney by 8.
