Round 14: Titans v Rabbitohs preview
Last-start finalists push for a stronger second half to 2022
The Gold Coast Titans will be out to kick-start their fledgling season when they host the South Sydney Rabbitohs at CBUS Super Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Coming into the second half of the season in 15th position with a paltry three wins, the Gold Coast Titans will be aiming to put aside a dismal record against their weekend opponents.
Losing 14 out of 20 clashes against the Rabbitohs, including their past six in succession, no current Gold Coast players remain from the last Titans side to defeat the Rabbitohs six years ago in Western Australia.
Slumping to a season low during last Thursday's 32-6 humbling to the undermanned Cowboys at home, coach Justin Holbrook has responded with changes brought on by injury and form.
Handing former Warriors utility Paul Turner a club debut in the halves, AJ Brimson reverts to fullback in place of Jayden Campbell, while Greg Marzhew and Partick Herbert take the places of Corey Thompson and Esan Marsters in the backline.
Refreshed and ready to surge following a weekend off leading into Origin I, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will be hoping to commemorate a major player milestone with a win.
Holding a unique piece of history as one of four brothers to represent the South Sydney Rugby League Football Club, Tom Burgess will make his 200th appearance in first grade; a feat made all the more remarkable given his standing as the last of the brothers to debut for the club.
Boasting an impressive record against all teams at CBUS Super Stadium, the Rabbitohs sole loss at the venue occurred in 2009 at the hands of the Titans.
Naming Damien Cook and Cameron Murray to back up after Wednesday night's Origin opener, highly rated hooker Peter Mamouzelos has been named as the interchange utility, while Tevita Tatola returns in place of Shaq Mitchell.
Keaon Koloamatangi will make his 50th appearance in first grade after debuting with the club in the early rounds of the 2020 season.
Last meeting: Round 22 2021 - Rabbitohs 36 Titans 6
Who to watch: Set to make his club debut for the Titans after plying his trade across the backline with Tweed Heads in the Queensland state league, former Warriors playmaker Paul Turner will be out to make the most of his opportunity. Playing three games in the NRL during the previous two seasons, the last of which occurred more than a year ago, the 22-year-old will start at five-eighth for the first time in the top grade. Identified as a player with immense potential during his early career across the Tasman, the Titans will be hoping Turner can be the spark needed to revitalise their season.
Overlooked for a place in Queensland's final line-up despite being a mainstay of the team over the past four series, Jai Arrow will be pressing his case for a representative recall on Saturday afternoon. Establishing his credentials as one of the hardest working players during three seasons on the Gold Coast before venturing to Sydney last year, the 26-year-old forward has spent much of 2022 on an edge after playing the bulk of his career in the middle of the field. Averaging a touch under 120 metres and 33 tackles prior to the bye this season, expect Arrow to be heavily involved as the Rabbitohs strive to continue a dominant run on the Gold Coast.
The favourite: Despite managing to string back-to-back results together only once this season, the Rabbitohs have been well supported to build upon their impressive showing before the bye.
My tip: While the fallout of Wednesday night's Origin opener will play a factor in the final teams named an hour before kick-off, the stability of the Rabbitohs roster should be too much for the home side to overcome. Rabbitohs by 10.
