Warriors v Titans preview

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Warriors v Gold Coast Titans Saturday 3:00pm at Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa

Kicking off Super Saturday is the New Zealand Warriors heading back home to face off against the mercurial Gold Coast Titans side. 

The Warriors produced a magic trick through skilled backrower Leka Halasima on the buzzer to get back-to-back wins and maintain their spot in the top four.

Now, they get a game which looks a lay-up on paper but the Titans are the side that no one can predict ever. 

They have dealt with the key injury to Luke Metcalfe with aplomb thus far and the tests for them might come further down the road. 

The Warriors still possess the formidable side that has only lost twice at Mt Smart Stadium in 2025 and will be a tough out for anyone. 

James Fisher-Harris has been a great leader in his return to New Zealand and his leadership should see them not see this as a trap game. 

These are the games the Warriors need to bank if they want to confirm a top four spot and get a second chance in the finals. 

What to make of the Titans? There is so much talent in the roster across the field but they have once again underachieved in 2025. 

Before we get to the on-field players - it would be remiss not to celebrate Des Hasler who brings up his 500th game in coaching on Saturday despite his shower antics. 

Last week, while they lost Jayden Campbell once again showed why he is a special talent with two superb try-assists and he should remain a fixture in their halves. 

One thing the Titans need to do is bring Afoilana Khan-Pereira back in from the cold and give David Fifita some more minutes if they want to take anything from this game. 

Around that nucleus, Titans can take something from another lost season and try to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon. 

In their favour is their recent record against the Warriors. Gold Coast have won five of their last six against their trans-tasman rivals. 

Last meeting: Round 16 2024 - Titans 66 Warriors 6

Who to watch: He has had a fortnight to settle into the role now, so Tanah Boyd remains the man under the spotlight for the Warriors. He will need to steer around the side and give the room for their electric backline to flourish. 

Erin Clark has relished his change of scenery moving from the glitter strip to the land of the long white cloud. The lock remarked earlier this season he was enjoying his footy and being valued so might come back to haunt the Titans. 

AJ Brimson showed off his brilliance with his individual four-pointer in the Titans loss but the fullback will have to dig deep into his bag of tricks if he is to find a way past the Warriors defence and that might be linking with Jayden Campbell.

Now that Tino might be out for the season, surely now this is the time for Des Hasler to hit the red button labelled David Fifita. At his best, he is a destructive backrower and he might want to put on a show for future clubs with his use at the Titans. 

Favourite: Despite their poor record against the Titans recently, the hosts should go into this game as heavy favourites to notch another win. 

My tip: It's a comfortable W for the Wahs for mine. Warriors by 20.

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Samuel Healey

1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 19. Sean Mullany 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston 18. Arama Hau 20. Tom Weaver

Referees: Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Jon Stone, Kieren Irons; Video Referees: Adam Gee;