Matchday Details
Sunday, 15 March 2026 – 5:15pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
📺 Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Liam Kennedy | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Tom Gilbert, 9. Bradley Schneider, 10. Thomas Flegler, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Max Plath, 15. Oryn Keeley, 16. Felise Kaufusi, 17. Ray Stone, 18. Trai Fuller, 19. Sebastian Su’a, 20. Lewis Symonds, 21. Tevita Naufahu, 22. Brian Pouniu
Gold Coast Titans: 1. Keano Kini, 2. Sialetili Faeamani, 3. Jojo Fifita, 4. Max Feagai, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. AJ Brimson, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (c), 11. Arama Hau, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Chris Randall, 14. Kurtis Morrin, 15. Tukimihia Simpkins, 16. Klese Haas, 17. Cooper Bai, 18. Luke Sommerton, 19. Zane Harrison, 20. Jett Liu, 21. Jensen Taumoepeau, 22. Josh Patston
Match Preview
An all-Queensland affair finishes off round 2 on Sunday night as the Dolphins take on the Titans at a hopefully drier Sunday than last weekend.
Both teams come into the game after a first round loss, like all Queensland teams, and based on results from before this game in round 2, the winner here could be the leading Queensland side. Neither side look especially great against oppositions who were very good and clinical on the day, but you could argue the Dolphins scoring 30 points and only losing by 10 gives them the upper hand on form over the Titans, who lost 50-10 after trailing 34-0 at half time. At least the Dolphins won the second half.
Some good news for the Dolphins on the player front, with Max Plath set to return for his first game since round 14 last season, and fan favourite and hardman Ray Stone also returning to the side. Both are named on the bench, but a late switch to starting hooker wouldn’t surprise for Plath. This gives Kristian Woolf a good problem of how to give all these players enough minutes. Trai Fuller was left on the bench way too long on Sunday, and if injected into the game five minutes before half time, it could have been the Dolphins going on a scoring run instead of South Sydney.
The new Titans coach (Josh Hannay) is showing true faith in his players this weekend, naming the same 19 that were beaten by Cronulla.
One could argue that the Dolphins have the H2H advantage in players across every position, with the exception of the front row because of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and hooker, as the Dolphins are currently playing recent recruit Brad Schneider at hooker, and while he is a great pick up for halves depth, there are better hooker options. Brent Woolf – who made his debut last weekend – did quite a good job, but he has been replaced by Plath and Stone as deputies. As good as they are, neither Plath or Stone are hookers either. Going back to the front row, we did see some of the downside of the Dolphins’ front row duo last weekend, neither making a match breaking effort, and both Flegler and Gilbert involved in niggle, the latter earning an early shower for his efforts.
The Dolphins have an advantage in the backs with a consistent line up with known combinations, although it must be said that the Dolphins were underwhelming in attack last weekend, with only Herbie Farnworth looking consistently likely to engineer something exciting. Perhaps bringing Fuller into the game earlier will give them an edge, as the Dolphins’ game plan did seem kick-heavy and Isaiya Katoa kicked all but 35 of the Dolphins’ 401 kicking metres in round 1. The Titans are sticking with their halves of AJ Brimson and Lachlan Ilias, but who know how long it will be until Ilias wears the blame of a team underperforming once again.
To go with the strike power of the Dolphins centres, they also have the big units of Connelly Lemeulu and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, both of whom can cause trouble down the edges, and can also play for 80 minutes. The Titans will have their hands full.
Perhaps a drier track will allow the Dolphins to play some more expansive rugby league this week, although 30 points was still fair effort for not playing at their best. And to a degree the Dolphins just came across a red-hot Rabbitohs side on the day, with key players like Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker firing. Based on last weekend’s fixture, the Titans look far less likely to dominate the Dolphins.
The Dolphins have the upper hand on the Gold Coast, leading the H2H by 5-1 in the three season so far. The Dolphins’ only loss though is coincidentally at Suncorp Stadium on a Sunday. In general though, the Titans don’t like away days on a Sunday: they have lost their last seven away games on a Sunday vs all teams and have lost their last seven away games in round 2.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Dolphins by 26 points.
Bold call: Fuller and Plath as anytime try scorers.
Related
- NRL Round 2 2026 Predictions & Tips
- NRL Round 2 Team Lists – 2026 Season
- NRL 2026 Results Tracker
- 2026 NRL Match Review Results Tracker: Charges, Suspensions & Fines
