Why can’t we at least play Peats for 80 minuets. We don’t need Rein on the bench , that spot could be taken by LG. But as I’ve said before , i really think LG’s cards are marked.
Why can’t we at least play Peats for 80 minuets. We don’t need Rein on the bench , that spot could be taken by LG. But as I’ve said before , i really think LG’s cards are marked.
Wests Tigers v Titans: Farah comes home, Wallace comes back
https://www.nrl.com/
Crunch time has come early for the Tigers. Thrashed by the Raiders a fortnight ago, the Wests Tigers struggled without Benji Marshall and Josh Reynolds and looked a lot like the bottom eight team almost everyone tipped them to be at the start of the season.
The loss left them in 10th spot with a 7-8 record and everyone is waiting to see if it was a one-off or pretty much what we can expect from the Tigers for the rest of the season.
Playing at their spiritual home Leichhardt Oval on Sunday should give them a lift, but they will definitely lose if they go in thinking their opponents will be pushovers.
The Titans are 11th on the ladder with five wins from 14 games, though they showed with the round 15 road win over the Bulldogs that they can't be taken lightly. Coach Garth Brennan appears to have finally settled on a 17-man team he can rely on and the players look like they're not second-guessing themselves as much anymore.
The Titans are capable of playing a spoiler role in the run to the play-offs.
Key match-up: Moses Mbye is tipped to make his debut in Tigers colours and should add an exciting new dimension to the Tigers' attack. There's probably not too much Ivan Cleary can drum into Mbye in terms of the team play-book so the former Bulldogs fullback will probably just play it by ear. The Titans are hoping their own fullback Michael Gordon emulates his round 15 man of the match performance against the Bulldogs.
For the Tigers to win: Benji Marshall is sidelined for another week or two and Josh Reynolds is no certainty to return from a hamstring injury, leaving Luke Brooks to shoulder most of the playmaking duties. Brooks will be hoping Mbye and Tigers returnee Robbie Farah can help ease his load.
For the Titans to win: Based on the Tigers' insipid round 15 effort against the Raiders, the Titans should look to dominate up front. They punched regular holes in the middle and on the edges of Canterbury's defence and should try similar tactics against the Tigers. Brennan also needs an inspired performance from his inconsistent backs.
Tigers Stat Attack: The club will be aiming for their 200th victory in the history of the joint venture at Leichhardt Oval. The Tigers joined the NRL in 2000.
Titans Stat Attack: Gold Coast have the advantage coming into this match having won four of their past five games against the Tigers.
And another thing: Mid-season Tigers signings Mbye and Farah will be part of a rare rugby league milestone against the Titans. Mbye's last game for the Bulldogs was against the Titans a fortnight ago while Farah's final game for the Rabbitohs was also against the Titans three weeks ago. Tigers coach Ivan Cleary might have a word to his new recruits this week for some inside information.
Wests Tigers: 1 Moses Mbye, 2 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 Josh Reynolds, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer (c), 9 Robbie Farah, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Josh Aloisi, 13 Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14 Alex Twal, 15 Suaso Sue, 16 Michael Chee Kam, 17 Matt Eisenhuth
Reserves: 18 Tyson Gamble, 19 Robbie Rochow, 20 Tim Grant, 21 Chris McQueen
New recruits Robbie Farah and Moses Mbye start at hooker and fullback respectively. Mahe Fonua (broken arm) is out with Kevin Naiqama shifting in to centre and Corey Thompson moving from fullback to wing. Josh Reynolds (shoulder) returns at five-eighth for Tyson Gamble. Elijah Taylor starts at lock, Josh Aloiai starts in the back row, Robbie Rochow drops to the reserves and Matt Eisenhuth and Sauaso Sue are on the bench.
Titans: 1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Dale Copley, 4 Brenko Lee, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Keegan Hipgrave, 13 Jai Arrow
Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Will Matthews, 16 Moeaki Fotuaika, 17 Jack Stockwell
Reserves: 18 Morgan Boyle, 19 Konrad Hurrell, 20 Kane Elgey, 21 Bryce Cartwright, 22 Leilani Latu
Jarrod Wallace returns from suspension at prop pushing Jack Stockwell to the bench and Morgan Boyle to the reserves.
Steve Turner's prediction: It's a new-look Tigers this weekend, with Moses Mbye's first outing in his new colours and the return of Robbie Farah. The two additions will provide plenty of options in attack for the Tigers and provide much needed help for Luke Brooks. The Titans come into the fixture with plenty of confidence after their impressive win over the Bulldogs. Ash Taylor and AJ Brimson have been impressive and their partnership will only get better. They will be up against on Sunday the Gold Coast, but the only way to shut the crowd out is score more points and worry about themselves.
TIP: Tigers by 4
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Updated team list have Chris McQueen in the 17 at the moment. Ben Matulino dropped off
Big out matulino he has been playing some great footy and his offloads was a huge worry
Titans ready to cause upset in season-defining NRL clash against Wests Tigers
https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/
TITANS coach Garth Brennan has backed former co-captain Kevin Proctor to thrive after his best performance of the season as the Gold Coast face a season-defining clash against the Wests Tigers.
The former Kiwi international has been below his own high standards this season but played his best game in the Titans’ 32-10 win against the Bulldogs last start.
The Titans face a massive challenge tomorrow though, attempting to play spoilers as the Tigers celebrate the return of club legend Robbie Farah to Leichhardt Oval.
The Tigers are in 10th place on the ladder, just two points ahead of the Titans, who need to win tomorrow to have any chance of keeping in touch with the eight.
Kevin Proctor has been below his best this season but bounced back against the Bulldogs. Photo: AAP
“This week is a really big game for us and the Tigers,” Brennan said.
“There’s a bit of a gap developing between the top eight and the bottom eight and we’ve got the Tigers this weekend and the Broncos the week after who are all around the top eight or fighting to get into the eight.
“These games are really important. If we don’t win this weekend it’s going to be a tough ask to make the semi-finals.”
While the Titans have three Origin squad members in Jarrod Wallace, Jai Arrow and Ryan James, Proctor could shape as the man to ignite their season.
“Kevvie hasn’t’ been overly happy with his form this year but it was nice to see him run over the top of a halfback last week (like he did) against the Dogs and hopefully he can get some confidence out of that and it can help him going forward for the rest of the season,” Brennan said.
“He’s a pro Kevvie, he’s been in some good systems and he knows when he’s playing well and when he’s not and he knows what the team needs from him.
“I think it’s important that he can get some confidence out of last week’s performance and as a team we need some confidence out of last week’s game, it was our best performance of the year so far.
“We still didn’t get 80 minutes out but we probably got 60 minutes of good football out of our team which we haven’t been doing so far this year.”
Brennan expects that boost to help his team tomorrow.
“They’re all excited about it — a packed house at Leichhardt, it’s sold out, Sunday afternoon against a Tigers outfit that’s going to be pumped for Robbie (Farah’s return),” he said.
“We can’t wait to get down there and on the back of the confidence we got out of the Dogs game, it will put us in good stead for a good performance.”
Konrad Hurrell and Morgan Boyle travelled with the Titans as cover for Keegan Hipgrave (back) and Brenko Lee (hamstring).
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Tough Challenge today at Leichhardt with the Farah return. We have a good team though, if we roll up our sleeves and are disciplined it could be a good one.
Expecting a big game from ash today, if he can put in a dominant 80 minute performance he just might play himself into a Qld jersey now that pongas out they could drop hunt or bench him as hooker, regardless if were any chance ash has to step up
Even though we have won 2 out of 3 games at Leichardt, I always worry playing there especially now with Farah coming back. But we've just got to complete our sets and stay strong defensively. As GCTTSD, a big game is needed from Ash and our forwards will need to steamroll them.
I hope Hipgrave and Lee are good to go.
Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
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LATE MAIL: Tigers v Titans
https://www.titans.com.au/
Coach Garth Brennan has confirmed his side for the match against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
The side is as follows:
1. Michael Gordon
2. Anthony Don
3. Dale Copley
4. Brenko Lee
5. Phillip Sami
6. AJ Brimson
7. Ash Taylor
8. Jarrod Walllace
9. Nathan Peats
10. Ryan James ©
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Keegan Hipgrave
13. Jai Arrow
14. Mitch Rein
15. Will Matthews
16. Moeaki Fotuaika
17. Jack Stockwell
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Brennan stands by ‘true pro’ Proctor
http://www.gcbulletin.com.au
TITANS coach Garth Brennan has backed former co-captain Kevin Proctor to keep improving after his best performance of the season as the Gold Coast face a season-defining clash against the Wests Tigers.
The former Kiwi international has been below his own high standards this season but played his best game in the Titans’ 32-10 win against the Bulldogs last start.
The Titans face a massive challenge tomorrow though, attempting to play spoilers as the Tigers celebrate the return of club legend Robbie Farah to Leichhardt Oval.
The Tigers are in 10th place on the ladder, just two points ahead of the Titans, who need to win tomorrow to have any chance of keeping in touch with the eight.
“This week is a really big game for us,” Brennan said.
“There’s a bit of a gap developing between the top eight and the bottom eight and we’ve got the Tigers this weekend and the Broncos the week after who are all around the top eight or fighting to get into the eight. These games are really important. If we don’t win this weekend it’s going to be a tough ask to make the semi-finals.”
While the Titans have three Origin squad members in Jarrod Wallace, Jai Arrow and Ryan James, Proctor could shape as the man to ignite their season.
“Kevvie hasn’t’ been overly happy with his form this year but it was nice to see him run over the top of a halfback last week (like he did) against the Dogs and hopefully he can get some confidence out of that and it can help him going forward for the rest of the season,” Brennan said.
“He’s a pro Kevvie, he’s been in some good systems and he knows when he’s playing well and when he’s not and he knows what the team needs from him.
“I think it’s important that he can get some confidence out of last week’s performance and as a team we need some confidence out of last week’s game, it was our best performance of the year so far.
“We still didn’t get 80 minutes out but we probably got 60 minutes of good football out of our team which we haven’t been doing so far this year.”
Brennan expects that boost to help his team tomorrow.
“They’re all excited about it – a packed house at Leichhardt, it’s sold out, Sunday afternoon against a Tigers outfit that’s going to be pumped for Robbie (Farah’s return),” he said.
“We can’t wait to get down there and on the back of the confidence we got out of the Dogs game, it will put us in good stead for a good performance.”
Konrad Hurrell and Morgan Boyle travelled with the Titans as cover for Keegan Hipgrave (back) and Brenko Lee (hamstring).
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RYANO CHARGING ON
http://www.couriermail.com.au
DESPITE yet another NSW snub, Gold Coast captain Ryan James is more determined than ever to snare a Blues jumper ahead of today’s clash with Wests Tigers.
Titans coach Garth Brennan says the giant prop has not given up on a State of Origin debut before the Blues announce their Game Three squad for July 11’s dead rubber, despite his latest setback.
James made the initial NSW squad for Origin II but was denied a debut when coach Brad Fittler opted for Matt Prior, 31, to fill a frontrow vacancy created by Reagan Campbell-Gillard’s broken jaw.
It was a crushing blow but paled in comparison to what he endured before Origin I.
James was told he was in the NSW Game One squad but while at home packing his bags for Origin camp, Blues officials called back and said he was no longer in their plans.
It’s enough to break anyone’s spirit.
But Brennan said James had returned from NSW’s Game Two camp with a “spring in his step”.
“James has been faultless, you wouldn’t know (about his setback),” Brennan said.
“He actually came back with a spring in his step due to the fact that he really enjoyed his time in camp.
“He had gone close before, but to actually spend the week in camp and warm up on game day, that sort of stuff, he got a real thrill out of it.”
James responded to his Game One snub with a barnstorming display in the Titans’ last round 32-10 win over Canterbury.
Brennan hoped for a similar reaction from James against the Tigers, who will welcome back club great Robbie Farah from South Sydney at a soldout Leichhardt Oval.
But Brennan insisted James had no hard feelings towards the Blues.
“He’s very passionate about the Blues. He’s stoked that they won and that is the sort of guy that he is,” he said.
“He had no animosity towards them, he wasn’t death riding them. He was cheering them on.
“He knows he is close. Hopefully he is getting that little bit closer.”
The 11th-placed Titans will need James at his best if they are to upset the Tigers at Leichhardt and try and stay in touch with the top eight.
“This one is a big game for both us and the Tigers. There’s a real gap developing between the top and bottom eight,” Brennan said.
“A soldout Leichhardt Oval on a Sunday afternoon for the return of a Tigers legend – it should be a fantastic day.”
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