Titans v Raiders: Taylor ruled out; Canberra reshuffle pack
The Raiders won't want to get off to another slow start against a much-improved Gold Coast if they are to maintain their challenge for a top-four spot.
Canberra trailed the troubled Broncos at the break last round but restored normal transmission with a five-try second-half blitz which delivered their highest score and biggest winning margin of the season.
That gave the Green Machine a share of fourth place with the Roosters - and Canberra will be looking to capitalise on a nice run home as the premiers struggle with an overflowing injury ward.
The Titans have been a much better side in August, going to-to-toe with the Roosters and Sharks either side of ambushing the Cowboys to claim their fourth win of the season.
Match: Titans v Raiders
Round 15 -
home Team
Titans
13th Position
away Team
Raiders
5th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
The Rundown
Team news
Titans: Ash Taylor (quad) has been replaced at five-eighth by Tanah Boyd. With skipper Kevin Proctor suspended for biting, Sam Stone has been called up to the second row. Jai Whitbread has been called onto Stone's interchange spot. Halfback Jamal Fogarty will captain the team for the first time.
Winger Anthony Don (rib cartilage) is out for a second straight week, replaced by Corey Thompson, but Phillip Sami is on track to return from his knee injury. Young Tonumaipea has shifted to centre for Dale Copley, who has been sidelined long term with a pectoral tear.
With Jai Arrow (shoulder) out, Jarrod Wallace is starting at prop with Moeaki Fotuaika shifting to lock. Erin Clark dropped out of the squad on game day. The Titans have not defeated a top-eight team in over 12 months.
Raiders: Ryan Sutton, Joseph Tapine and Corey Harawira-Naera start in the forward pack with Dunamis Lui, Josh Papalii and Hudson Young to come off the bench. Lui will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Harley Smith-Shields and Matt Frawley dropped off the reserves list an hour before kick-off while Sam Williams and Kai O'Donnell were omitted from the squad on Friday.
Harley Smith-Shields and Matt Frawley dropped off the reserves list an hour before kick-off while Sam Williams and Kai O'Donnell were omitted from the squad on Friday.
Match: Titans v Raiders
Round 15 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ BrimsonFullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip SamiWinger for Raiders is number 2 Jordan Rapana
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 Young TonumaipeaCentre for Raiders is number 4 Curtis Scott
-
Winger for Titans is number 18 Corey ThompsonWinger for Raiders is number 5 Nick Cotric
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 19 Tanah BoydFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
-
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Raiders is number 7 George Williams
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Jarrod WallaceProp for Raiders is number 15 Joseph Tapine
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Nathan PeatsHooker for Raiders is number 9 Siliva Havili
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Jaimin JolliffeProp for Raiders is number 16 Ryan Sutton
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Keegan Hipgrave2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 John Bateman
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 17 Sam Stone2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Moeaki FotuaikaLock for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Tyrone PeacheyInterchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
-
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Sam LisoneInterchange for Raiders is number 10 Dunamis Lui
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Beau FermorInterchange for Raiders is number 13 Hudson Young
-
Interchange for Titans is number 20 Jai WhitbreadInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Brian Kelly v Jarrod Croker: The Titans centre has been in fine form in recent weeks, scoring tries in three of his past five outings and setting up the Gold Coast's first four-pointer in their loss to Cronulla with an early break.
He represents a potent threat for the low-scoring Titans, especially in combination on the left with winger Corey Thompson. Veteran rival Croker, providing much-needed stability and experience for the injury-ravaged Raiders, has five try assists and sits in the NRL's top 10 point-scorers but has just three tries to his credit against Kelly's five.
Stat Attack
Canberra have won five of their past six clashes with the Titans but, notably, the underdogs' only victory in that four-year span came on the Gold Coast. The home team held on for a 30-28 victory after leading 24-12 at halftime.
