Young gun fullbacks in full focus in Robina
Three weeks after their pre-season trial game was abandoned due to the storms in Queensland, the Titans and Warriors do it for real in a clash that seems certain to produce plenty of tries.
The Titans were electric in the opening 45 minutes against Parramatta and came within an ace of a huge upset, while the Warriors rode the back of some astute Shaun Johnson kicking to push the Dragons all the way at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
The loss of Johnson to a pectoral injury is offset by the return of whiz kid Reece Walsh and hardman Matt Lodge from suspension while the Titans also get a boost with AJ Brimson (groin) back on deck after being a late withdrawal in round one.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Titans v Warriors
The Rundown
Team news
Titans: The Titans are 1-17 with no late changes. Tanah Boyd was the last man cut and Jarrod Wallace is 18th man.
AJ Brimson (groin) is good to go after missing the season opener, slotting in at five-eighth with Will Smith sliding to the bench.
Warriors: The Warriors are 1-17 with no late changes. Kodi Nikorima is 18th man and Edward Kosi was the last man cut an hour before kick-off.
Reece Walsh and Matt Lodge return from suspension, but a handful of injuries last week see plenty of changes to this week's team.
With centre Viliami Vailea (knee), winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (thumb) and halfback Shaun Johnson (pectoral) all out, Jesse Arthars comes in at centre, Adam Pompey on the wing and Ash Taylor at halfback.
Bunty Afoa shifts to the bench to accommodate Lodge's return in the front row. Ben Murdoch-Masila has gone to the reserves list.
Match: Titans v Warriors
Round 2 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Titans is number 1 Jayden CampbellFullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
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Winger for Titans is number 2 Phillip SamiWinger for Warriors is number 2 Adam Pompey
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Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Warriors is number 3 Jesse Arthars
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Centre for Titans is number 4 Patrick HerbertCentre for Warriors is number 4 Rocco Berry
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Winger for Titans is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 AJ BrimsonFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Halfback for Titans is number 7 Toby SextonHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Ashley Taylor
Forwards
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Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Titans is number 9 Erin ClarkHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Titans is number 10 Isaac LiuProp for Warriors is number 10 Matthew Lodge
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2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken
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2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
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Lock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiLock for Warriors is number 13 Josh Curran
Interchange
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Interchange for Titans is number 14 Will SmithInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Jazz Tevaga
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Interchange for Titans is number 15 Sam LisoneInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
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Interchange for Titans is number 16 Jaimin JolliffeInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Aaron Pene
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Interchange for Titans is number 17 Kevin ProctorInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Bayley Sironen
Reserves
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Replacement for Titans is number 18 Jarrod WallaceReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Kodi Nikorima
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Moeaki Fotuaika v Matt Lodge: After launching his season in style with 124 metres from 13 runs, including 44 post-contact metres, Fotuaika is ready to welcome the powerful Warriors pack to his home turf. The 22-year-old has come of age in the past two years, playing four Origins for Queensland and carrying the Titans into the finals in 2021. Lodge averaged 126 metres in his six games for the Warriors after his mid-season move from Brisbane last year and will look to establish himself as a forward leader for Nathan Brown in 2022.
Stat attack
With David Fifita (17 tries) and Brian Kelly (11) leading the way the Titans ran in 104 tries during the regular season last year. The Warriors could muster only 80 tries, with none of their players posting double figures in that category.
