Titans
1 William Zillman, 2 Kevin Gordon, 3 Brad Tighe, 4 Maurice Blair, 5 David Mead, 6 Aidan Sezer, 7 Albert Kelly, 8 Luke Douglas, 9 Beau Falloon, 10 Nate Myles (c), 11 Greg Bird (c), 12 David Taylor, 13 Ashley HarrisonInterchange: 14 Matthew White, 15 Luke Bailey, 16 Mark Minichiello, 17 Paul Carter, 18 Ryan James
Coach: John Cartwright
Tigers: 1 James Tedesco, 19 David Nofoaluma, 3 Keith Lulia, 4 Chris Lawrence, 5 Pat Richards, 6 Braith Anasta, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Aaron Woods, 9 Robbie Farah, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 TBC, 12 Bodene Thompson, 13 Adam Blair. Interchange: 14 Cory Paterson, 15 Ava Seumanufagai, 16 Sauaso Sue, 17 James Gavet, 18 Keith Galloway,
Coach: Mick Potter
Date: Sunday March 16th
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
Kick Off: 2.00pm (local time)
3.00pm (AEDST)
TV Times: Channel 9 - 4.00pm Delayed
Fox Sp. 1 - 8.30pm Delayed
Wests Tigers head on the road for the second week running when they head to the Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon. For the second week running, the Tigers get the only genuine day game on offer when they head to a warm and sunny Gold Coast.
Last week the Tigers fell away in the second half, falling 44-24 to a Gareth Widdop inspired St George-Ilawarra Dragons. The Titans meanwhile showed grit in getting the points on Monday night down at Remondis Stadium, winning 18-12 versus the Sharks.
Team News
The Wests Tigers this afternoon announced two changes to the line up which was named on Tuesday night. In comes winger David Nofoaluma for Marika Koroibete, and Prop Keith Galloway also returns, replacing Liam Fulton who hasn't recovered from the concussion suffered last Sunday. No player has been named to start in Fulton's place as yet, but the likely candidates are Cory Paterson and Sauaso Sue.
The returns of Nofoaluma and Galloway represent a huge boost for the Tigers who face a daunting task up on Surfers Paradise. The game is arguably a step up on last week and a weather forecast of 31 degrees for Sunday poses some real concerns for both sides.
Key Points
- The kicking game for Wests Tigers was poor last week. Coach Mick Potter, Captain Robbie Farah and halves Luke Brooks and Braith Anasta all admitted that there was plenty of improvement needed with the fifth tackle options. The new zero tackle rule aided the Dragons on several occasions, allowing them to roll down field on 7 tackle sets.
- Discipline. On several categories of discipline, Wests Tigers need to improve. Their ball handling, penalties conceded and defence just weren't good enough at times last weekend as they allowed the Dragons the opportunities to win the ball game. We're not talking major improvement needed, but an extra 5% in each category would go a long way to a better performance. The new rules mean that building pressure comes with high rewards this season. Failure to do so only plots your downfall.
- Attack. There were some good signs in attack last weekend. James Tedesco's involvement was great. Some of the set plays were effective and the work from the back 5 was solid and effective at times. The impact off the bench was also decent. Some better options on 5th tackle on Sunday could make a lot of difference to our performance.
- Discipline. On several categories of discipline, Wests Tigers need to improve. Their ball handling, penalties conceded and defence just weren't good enough at times last weekend as they allowed the Dragons the opportunities to win the ball game. We're not talking major improvement needed, but an extra 5% in each category would go a long way to a better performance. The new rules mean that building pressure comes with high rewards this season. Failure to do so only plots your downfall.
- Attack. There were some good signs in attack last weekend. James Tedesco's involvement was great. Some of the set plays were effective and the work from the back 5 was solid and effective at times. The impact off the bench was also decent. Some better options on 5th tackle on Sunday could make a lot of difference to our performance.
Our Opponents
The Titans possess speed in the backs and an experienced forward rotation which could prove vital. Even more vital is a halves pairing that is beginning to form a formidable partnership in Albert Kelly and Aiden Sezer. There's no doubt that the scheming halves will look to target big men Nate Myles, Dave Taylor and Mark Minichello and then spread it wide to the speedy backs.
Prediction
It certainly is a step up this week but i would expect an improved performance from the Tigers. Will it be good enough for a win? Well, we hope so. There's no doubt though that the Titans are the favourites and we'll need some good fortune if we're to win. On the surface the Titans just look too strong across the park with a line up that has been pretty similar for the past 2-3 years.
Score: Titans 20-14
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