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2018 NRL – New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans Preview

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AT A GLANCE

When? Saturday 17th March, 04:05 (UK)

Where? Mount Smart Stadium

What channel is it on? New Zealand Warriors v Gold Coast Titans will not be televised live in the UK

Foxtel, LIVE PASS

Where can I stream the match?

https://www.foxtel.com.au/outa...

https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer

Are tickets still available? http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/...

THE STATISTICS

THE LOWDOWN

WARRIORS

Head Coach: Stephen Kearney

Starting 13: Tuivasa-Sheck, Fusitua, Hiku, Kata, Maumalo, Green, Johnson, Gavet, Luke, Blair, Papali'i, Harris, Sao – Interchanges: Cook, Pulu, Lisone, Afoa – Reserves: Tevaga, Gelling, Paasi, Lino

Unavailable: Simon Mannering, Nathaniel Roache, Gerard Beale

  • New Zealand Warriors were impressive in their opening game last week as they defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 20-32 in Perth.
  • Head coach Stephen Kearney is expected to field the same 17 as last weekend with Isaac Luke the only slight doubt after suffering a head knock in the Rabbitohs game although he is expected to be fit.
  • If the Warriors want to win back-to-back games to begin the season, they will be looking to complete at a similar rate to last week. Their completion rate was 80%, completing 28 of their 35 sets compared to Souths’ 66% completion rate.

TITANS

Head Coach: Garth Brennan

Starting 13: Gordon, Don, Copley, Hurrell, Sami, Elgey, Taylor, Arrow, Peats, Latu, Proctor, James, Cartwright – Interchanges: Rein, King, Matthews, Boyle – Reserves: Hipgrave, Greenwood, Whitbread, Brimson

Unavailable: Jack Stockwell, Kyle Flanagan, Jarrod Wallace, Ryan Simpkins, Brenko Lee, Brendan Elliott

  • Despite conceding 18 points in the opening 10 minutes, Gold Coast scored a 78th minute try to complete a stunning comeback against Canberra Raiders to give new head coach Garth Brennan the perfect start to his tenure.
  • Brennan has named the same squad as last week with no changes expected to the 17 that took the field last week.
  • Captain Ryan James was a huge reason his side were able to come back last week, leading from the front with a game-high 198 metres gained.

THE PREDICTION

The Warriors and Titans meet in their Round 2 encounter off the back of opening round wins. The Titans needed a late try to earn the win and overturn an 18-point deficit whilst the Warriors were fairly comfortable winners over the Rabbitohs. This is a game that could go either way with both on a high after their wins last week but the Warriors might be too strong on home soil.

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