A Greg Bird-less Gold Coast Titans face the Canberra Raiders in round 9 of the NRL.
Where: GIO Stadium, Canberra
When: 6.00am Saturday 9 May (3.00pm local)
Watch live: Premier Sports
Bird has been rubbed out for eight weeks after a dangerous tackle in the ANZAC Test with New Zealand.
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It’s a big blow for the Titans who have gone on an eye-catching run of wins in recent weeks.
Luckily they have Dave Taylor, Daniel Mortimer and Mark Ioane returning this weekend, which should help replace him.
Lachlan Burr shifts to lock in place of Bird allowing Taylor to shift into the back row.
Also, Kierran Moseley has moved to hooker in place of the injured Beau Falloon, meaning Mortimer will slot on the bench while Ioane replaces Matt Robinson as an interchange player.
For the Raiders, in-form outside back Jordan Rapana has been cleared to play after scans on his cheekbone.
Canberra is unchanged from the 17 that defeated South Sydney in style two weeks ago.
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