NRL Match Preview: Round 23 v Titans

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Thu 8 Aug 2024, 05:59 PM

Siosifa Talakai will start for the Sharks against the Titans tomorrow night after the withdrawal of Teig Wilton due to hamstring tightness.

With Talakai now lining up in the second row, Billy Burns has been called onto the interchange for the Cbus Super Stadium clash. Niwhai Puru and Tuku Hau Tapuha remain as reserves in the updated 19-man squad 24 hours from kick off.

Injuries have forced Craig Fitzgibbon to rearrange his spine, but the Sharks coach is confident in a strong performance provided they nail the basics.

Given Braydon Trindall is sidelined by a hamstring issue, usual hooker Blayke Brailey is named at halfback with Cameron McInnes to shift from lock to dummy-half.

Up against a Gold Coast side that has won five of their past six matches, Fitzgibbon will employ a straightforward yet effective game plan.

"We've got to keep things simple when you have the amount of changes we have," Fitzgibbon said, with his team determined to remain in the top four.

"What you have to do is make sure it's a simple, clear plan we can follow. You can't give up on the hard parts of the game, competing and working hard for each other ... With a little bit of free spirit about them, we'll have to put some pressure on them."

While they enter the round in 11th position, four points adrift of the top eight, there is no underestimating Des Hasler's Titans after smashing the Broncos last round.

"We'll face a different challenge this week coming up here," Fitzgibbon said, noting the Gold Coast boast the best competition rate (82%) of any team this season.

"The Titans have got a lot of momentum behind them.

"We're excited though. It's the time of year you want to face some difficult opponents. I think the Titans are one of the form teams at the moment."

Hasler's troops pulled off a 20-16 upset when the clubs met five weeks ago in Coffs Harbour, clinging on grimly as the Sharks surged home.

However, Cronulla own an imposing overall win rate of 63% against the Titans and have triumphed in nine of their past 10 encounters.

Like Fitzgibbon, Brailey is energised despite the team being undermanned. Last week's gritty victory over Souths was crucial with the finals in sight.

"We've had a decent year so far being in that top four, but we want to stay there," Brailey said. "A lot of teams underneath us are winning and getting pretty close.

"We want to keep winning, get good form into the back-end of the year and hopefully we can finish in that top four," the new No.7 added.

"(Injuries are) definitely not ideal, but squads win competitions ... We're definitely relying on our full 30-man squad. We've all done the same work."

One constant in the reshuffled spine is fullback Will Kennedy, who will celebrate his 100th NRL appearance – all for the Sharks – after debuting in 2019.

"Everyone dreams of one (game), but it's good to achieve 100," Kennedy said.

"It's been a long journey. Coming from SG Ball here, coming all the way up (through) Newtown and playing NRL as well. It's been a long journey but it's all been worth it. I couldn't have got to where I am without my family ... I'm excited."

In other team news, Jack Williams will take over from McInnes at lock.

Kick-off on Friday is at 6pm, with coverage on Foxtel and Kayo.

See the updated team lists below.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Friday 9 Aug

Full Time

Titans

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Titans is number 4 Phillip Sami

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Titans is number 18 AJ Brimson

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo Fifita

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden Campbell

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Kieran Foran

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Blayke Brailey

Forwards

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Cameron McInnes
Prop for Titans is number 15 Jaimin Jolliffe

Prop for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Klese Haas

2nd Row for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
Lock for Titans is number 13 Chris Randall

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jack Williams

Interchange

Interchange for Titans is number 10 Erin Clark

Interchange for Sharks is number 8 Royce Hunt
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Isaac Liu

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jayden Berrell
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Josiah Pahulu

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
Interchange for Titans is number 22 Tony Francis

Interchange for Sharks is number 20 Billy Burns