Matchday Details
Saturday 18 April – 3.00pm (AEST) – GO Media Stadium,
📺 Broadcast: Foxtel / Kayo
Referee: Wyatt Raymond | Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
New Zealand Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 4. Ali Leiataua, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Erin Clark, 14. Sam Healey, 15. Marata Niukore, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Jacob Laban, 18. Luke Hanson, 20. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 21. Morgan Gannon, 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 23. Mitchell Barnett
Gold Coast Titans: 1. Keano Kini, 2. Sialetili Faeamani, 3. Jojo Fifita, 4. AJ Brimson, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Lachlan Ilias, 7. Jayden Campbell, 8. Kurtis Morrin, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (c), 11. Arama Hau, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Chris Randall, 14. Oliver Pascoe, 15. Cooper Bai, 16. Moeaki Fotuaika, 17. Adam Christensen, 18. Jaylan De Groot, 19. Zane Harrison, 20. Klese Haas, 21. Josh Patston, 22. Jensen Taumoepeau
Match Preview
After a few setbacks, the third-placed New Zealand Warriors appear to have found a winning path, one they are familiar with, and are ready to show their home fans that they have what it takes to defeat the 14th-placed Gold Coast Titans on Saturday afternoon at Go Media Stadium in Auckland.
The Warriors last met the Titans back in 2025 in Round 25 at CBUS Stadium on the Gold Coast, defeating them 32-18 in front of their home crowd in the spirit of retaliation for the Titans’ earlier victory in Round 21, in front of the Warriors’ home crowd in Auckland, where they defeated them comfortably 24-16.
Although the Warriors currently have 56 wins at GO Media Stadium to the Titans’ 40, they have not defeated the Titans in New Zealand since 2013. Given the Warriors’ record of wins so far, having won four and only lost two, they could well be on track to change this.
Following an excellent win against the Melbourne Storm last Saturday, which snapped a 17-game losing streak for the Warriors, they are back in form and high spirits after defeating one of the hardest teams to beat in the league. The Warriors triumphed over the Storm 38-14 in front of their home crowd at AAMI Park. The last time they played at home in Round 3 against the Broncos, and the outcome was similar, with the Broncos winning 18-14.
Despite facing challenging odds, the Titans demonstrated their ability to stage a comeback last weekend by defeating the Parramatta Eels 52-10: a record loss for the Eels, now ranked 16th on the ladder.
Winning six of their past eight games against the Warriors, but after only having two wins this season so far, they will be desperate to make it two in a row this weekend as they carry their newfound confidence from their win over the Eels into their battle against the Warriors.
They have shown weaknesses and cracks in their defence this season, and if they want to stave off a determined Warriors team, they will need a strong defensive line, as well as an equally powerful attacking line.
The Warriors appeared to have regained their energy, connection, and playing form against the Storm, which they seemed to have lost in their previous two matches.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck believes that the Warriors’ success comes not from individual efforts, but from teamwork and connection. That winning capacity comes from the ability to work together.
They enter this match against the Titans with the same line-up that crushed the Storm. The sole alteration is that Kurt Capewell has returned to the forward pack after recovering from a calf injury. Marata Niukore returns to the bench, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Mitch Barnett are listed as reserves returning from injury, while Tanner Stowers-Smith is out due to a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, the Titans’ coach Josh Hannay stands firm with the current line-up that defeated the Eels last weekend. Klese Haas, who missed last week’s encounter due to a leg injury, joins the extended squad, as has Josh Patston, who has served his ban from the Queensland Cup.
The potential threat coming from the Warriors could be in their forward pack, led by James Fisher-Harris, Jackson Ford, and Leka Halasima.
Ford tends to be a key match-up with Fisher-Harris. These two players have strength in attack, move fast, defend quickly, and are strategic in guiding the field of play.
Young gun Halasima looks set to make an impression as well; the moment may well be his time. With an impeccable playing record at such a young age, he has already scored nine tries in his last nine games at GO Media Stadium.
However, the true danger comes from the Warriors’ backline, led by seasoned veterans Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Tuiavasa-Sheck.
Watene-Zelezniak can attack when least expected, and his key is intercepts, which might undo the Titans if they are not on their game. While RTS gained 145 metres and broke five tackles in the Warriors’ match against the Storm, he has scored nine tries in his last 12 games against the Titans.
With the lack of depth and strength in their forward pack, the Titans could rely on their backline to lead the play and help them advance.
The word on everyone’s lips now seems to be the combination of Jayden Campbell and Jojo Fifita. Both players possess the speed, focus, and stamina to excel, and when combined with Sialetili Faeamani, they pose a significant threat, particularly on the Warriors’ outside edge, where their defence has been poor.
Campbell has exhibited an outstanding performance this season so far, demonstrated against the Eels last weekend (24 points from two tries and eight goals), with his incredible pace and running metres gained in a long-range try, running 90 metres down the length of the field to score. While Fifita appears to be the strength and key to setting up play in their centre, Faeamani, a quiet achiever, proves to be a formidable weapon on the outside edge.
However, it remains uncertain whether they can withstand the raw power of the Warriors’ backline, consisting of Watene-Zelezniak and Tuivasa-Sheck, both of whom performed exceptionally well last weekend.
The Titans could attempt to capitalise on any errors made by the Warriors, who have been their undoing this season. This may be their only chance of getting a competitive advantage and defeating the Warriors.
It will be an exciting contest in terms of strength and stamina, especially given both teams’ prior results, but the more disciplined team will come out on top.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Warriors by 16
Bold call: Halasima makes his presence known and goes over for a double.
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