Opposite ends of the experience scale will be celebrated when the One New Zealand Warriors host Gold Coast in today's Anzac Day match at Go Media Stadium (4.00pm kick-off).
On one hand fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad completes his long journey to 100 NRL appearances while, on the other, tyro prop Zyon Maiu'u has been called in to make his first grade debut.
The 28-year-old Klokstad started his career with seven games for the Warriors in 2017 and wasn't used again in 2018 before joining the Canberra Raiders.
After two outstanding season in 2019 and 2020, injury hampered him in 2021 while his signing with the Warriors from 2023 saw him effectively banished to reserve grade for much of 2022.
It meant the hugely popular Nicoll-Klokstad clocked up only 66 appearances for the Raiders across four seasons but today, seven years after his debut against the Roosters, he plays his 100th.
The 20-year-old Maiu'u is just starting out, earning his debut as Warrior #287 after impressive form for the club's New South Wales Cup side over the past two seasons.
After last week's upset loss to the Dragons, the Warriors face more challenges from a dangerous Titans side today.
They have fought bravely in the past fortnight but still sit 0-6.
While coach Des Hasler has praised his team's commitment in narrow losses to Canberra and Manly his side still has nothing to show for its efforts.
The Warriors will look to hit back hard in front of their home fans as they host an Anzac Day game for the first time since 2015, having faced the Storm at AAMI Park for the past eight seasons on April 25.
On the back of three wins, three losses and a draw, the Warriors are still searching for the form that took them on an emotional charge to a preliminary final in 2023,
The Titans have played finals just once in the past seven seasons and have set themselves a near impossible task of being part of the September action this year.
Conceding 30 points per game in 2024, the Titans will need to find some defensive resolve if they are to contain a potent Warriors outfit led by Shaun Johnson and boasting an array of strike weapons out wide.
Match: Warriors v Titans
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco BerryCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Roger Tuivasa-SheckCentre for Titans is number 22 Aaron Schoupp
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Titans is number 5 Jojo Fifita
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire MartinFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Tanah Boyd
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Titans is number 7 Kieran Foran
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Titans is number 9 Chris Randall
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Titans is number 10 Jaimin Jolliffe
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban2nd Row for Titans is number 13 Klese Haas
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu HarrisLock for Titans is number 16 Isaac Liu
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom AleInterchange for Titans is number 14 Sam Verrills
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Zyon Maiu'uInterchange for Titans is number 15 Erin Clark
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Paul RoacheInterchange for Titans is number 17 Josiah Pahulu
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Adam PompeyReplacement for Titans is number 18 Joe Stimson
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: Kurt Capewell will miss the Anzac Day game after suffering a throat injury against the Dragons. He is replaced in the starting side by Jacob Laban. Veteran utility Dylan Walker returns from an ankle injury on the bench alongside Zyon Maiu'u who makes his NRL debut. Adam Pompey is 18th man with Ali Leiataua the other player remaining in the squad when it was trimmed to 19 on Wednesday.
Titans: Coach Des Hasler is sticking with the same 17 that pushed Manly all the way in round seven with David Fifita again named to start as he was last week before a late switch to the bench. Phil Sami (ankle) and Keenan Palasia (quad) remain sidelined. Joe Stimson and Aaron Schoupp were the two platyers retained when the squad was trimmed 24 hours before kick-off.
Stat attack
- The Warriors have lost their past eight Anzac Day games.
- The Titans have won three of their past four games against the Warriors.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 11 tries in his past 10 games at Go Media Stadium.
- The Titans have won only one of their past five games in New Zealand.
- Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
