New Zealand side desperate to climb off the bottom of the NRL ladder.
The Gold Coast Titans will be looking to string together back-to-back wins for the first time since rounds three and four when the they take on the New Zealand Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium.
After starting the NRL season on fire, injuries to key players has halted the Titans’ momentum, having dropped two of their last three games.
Kevin Gordon and Brad Takairangi (both hamstring) return from injury for Gold Coast, but Anthony Don retains his wing spot.
With Matt Srama (finger fracture, round 11) out, Beau Falloon starts at hooker, with Sam Irwin added to the bench.
The injury to Ashley Harrison (ankle, round 11) sees Nate Myles move to lock and youngster Mark Ioane added to the bench to make his debut.
For the Warriors, who will be looking to notch just their second win of the season, Manu Vatuvei (sternum) returns, but at the expense of Ngani Laumape.
Simon Mannering (calf) also returns, with Ben Henry moving from back row to centre in place of Konrad Hurrell, who has been dropped.
WARRIORS: Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Jerome Ropati, Ben Henry, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Russell Packer, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (capt), Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Elijah Taylor, Pita Godinet, Ngani Laumape (one to be omitted).
TITANS: William Zillman, Kevin Gordon, Brad Takairangi, Jamal Idris, Anthony Don, Aidan Sezer, Albert Kelly, Luke Douglas, Beau Falloon, Luke Bailey, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Nate Myles. Interchange: David Taylor, Mark Ioane, Ryan James, Sam Irwin, Steve Michaels (one to be omitted).
COMMENTS