Matchday Details
Friday, 8 May 2026 – 6:00pm AEST – Polytec Stadium, Gosford
📺 Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Peter Gough | Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco (c), 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Hugo Savala, 4. Robert Toia, 5. Cody Ramsey, 6. Daly Cherry-Evans, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Spencer Leniu, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Victor Radley, 14. Connor Watson, 15. Egan Butcher, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Salesi Foketi, 18. Taylor Losalu, 19. Benaiah Ioelu, 20. Fetalaiga Pauga, 21. Reece Foley, 22. Billy Smith
Gold Coast Titans: 1. Keano Kini, 2. Jensen Taumoepeau, 3. Jojo Fifita, 4. AJ Brimson, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Jayden Campbell, 7. Zane Harrison, 8. Klese Haas, 9. Oliver Pascoe, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Chris Randall, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Cooper Bai, 14. Kurtis Morrin, 15. Moeaki Fotuaika, 16. Josh Patston, 17. Arama Hau, 18. Jaylan De Groot, 19. Sam Verrills, 20. Lachlan Ilias, 21. Adam Christensen, 22. Bodhi Sharpley
Match Preview
Two teams with completely opposite records face off at Gosford’s Polytec Stadium with changes galore due to injury and form.
The Sydney Roosters have moved to third on the ladder following their 38-24 win over Brisbane, their fifth in succession. The Gold Coast Titans, meanwhile, sit in the bottom four following a 28-12 defeat to Canberra and were lucky to only lose by 16.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has been forced into a number of changes to the side that beat the Broncos following a triple injury blow.
Mark Nawaqanitawase is facing at least a month on the sidelines after injuring his syndesmosis. Cody Ramsey, who replaced him on Saturday night in his first first grade game in 1337 days after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, takes his place on the right wing. Lindsay Collins is out after failing a HIA early in the match against the Broncos, giving Spencer Leniu his first start for the season. Leniu managed just 15 minutes before being hooked by Robinson on Saturday night and will be fired up to make amends for his poor showing. Angus Crichton has been named at second row despite suffering a medial ligament injury on Saturday and will be given every chance to prove his fitness. His likely replacement, Blake Steep, suffered an ACL injury playing NSW Cup and will miss the remainder of the season. Egan Butcher is set to join the 17 from the interchange, with Taylor Losalu and Benaiah Ioelu joining the six-man bench.
Josh Hannay has made a number of changes to the Titans side as they look to turn their form around. Sialetili Faeamani (knee) is out of the side, replaced by debutant Jensen Taumoepeau. Western Suburbs Tigers (New Plymouth) junior Taumoepeau, who has previously had stints at Cronulla, North Queensland and Canberra, will make his first grade debut at age 25. Also debuting for the Titans will be local junior Zane Harrison, with the Tweed Heads Seagulls product named at halfbacknamed at halfback. Jayden Campbell shifts to five‑eighth, with Lachlan Ilias dropping out of the 19. Cooper Bai will start at lock with Chris Randall moving to second row and Arama Hau to the bench. Klese Haas will start at prop with Kurtis Morrin dropping to the bench and Oliver Pascoe will start with Sam Verrills benched. Josh Patston is the other new face on the bench.
The Roosters were at their very best in the first half against Brisbane, led by powerful performances by props Naufahu Whyte and Nat Butcher. Once those two went off the field, momentum changed and the Roosters nearly let their lead slip. It wasn’t until those two returned that they were able to wrap up the victory. The Roosters will need more out of their forwards, particularly Spencer Leniu, if they are to claim their sixth straight victory.
The Titans looked like they had turned a corner when they thrashed Parramatta 52-10 in Round 6. Since then they’ve returned to their disappointing ways, putting in a particularly poor performance in their 28-12 loss to Canberra. Their attack was a major disappointment and a big part of the reason for the changes in the side. While pressure will be on Zane Harrison to lead the way, so too will the forwards who need to stand up to the powerful Roosters.
The Roosters have long dominated this fixture, winning 17 of the 26 matches the two teams have played. The Titans did break an 11-game streak when they last met, with Jayden Campbell inspiring a 30-12 win at Allianz Stadium in Round 4, 2025. This will be their fourth meeting at Polytec Stadium, with the Roosters having won two. Since 2015, the Roosters have taken a home game to Gosford annually as part of their Central Coast affiliation, winning eight of their past 11 at the venue, including six in a row since 2020. The Titans have played five games at the stadium in their history, with their lone win coming against the Roosters on their first visit in 2009.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Roosters by 18
Bold call: Spencer Leniu to send a statement by running for over 200m.
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