Titans v Raiders: Kelly out; Kris, James start
The Titans and Raiders will square off in neutral territory in Sydney after Queensland's COVID-19 outbreak resulted in the game being moved from Cbus Super Stadium to Kogarah.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart praised the bravery and resilience of his players in their heart-breaking loss to the Warriors and you can be sure whoever he names in the match-day 17 will be primed to deliver a repeat performance.
The Gold Coast have put their round one hiccup against the Warriors in the rear-view mirror and will be looking to consolidate their status as the No.1 team in Queensland.
The Titans will stay in Sydney post-game on Saturday before hopefully heading back to the familiar surroundings of Cbus Super Stadium in round five to face the Knights.
Queensland's lockdown ended on Thursday but the Titans will need NSW Government approval for clubs to travel freely to and from the Sunshine State for that game to be given the go ahead.
Titans v Raiders
Match: Titans v Raiders
Round 4 -
home Team
Titans
9th Position
away Team
Raiders
5th Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Titans: The Titans are 1-17. Tyrone Peachey will again start at lock with key recruit Tino Fa'asuamaleaui at prop.
The Titans can achieve their best start to a season after four rounds in five years.
Brian Kelly won't return from his broken hand for another week. He and Beau Fermor dropped off the reserves list an hour before kick-off after Herman Ese'ese and Sam McIntyre were left out of the squad the day before the match.
Raiders: Ryan James moves into the starting side at prop with Josh Papalii to come off the bench. James and centre Sebastian Kris passed concussion protocols after suffering head knocks last week.
Kris will replace Curtis Scott (ribs) in the starting team.
Dunamis Lui and Hudson Young return in a boost for a pack that was bruised and battered in last round's heart-breaking loss to the Warriors.
Lui will come in at prop with Ryan Sutton sliding back to lock as the replacement for Joseph Tapine (ankle).
Sam Williams and Semi Valemei dropped off the extended bench on game day after Caleb Aekins and Emre Guler were the two players omitted 24 hours before kick-off.
The Raiders have won their past four games against the Titans.
Match: Titans v Raiders
Round 4 -
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 2 Anthony DonWinger for Raiders is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Phillip SamiCentre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 Patrick HerbertCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Corey ThompsonWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 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 10 Dunamis Lui
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Mitch ReinHooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiProp for Raiders is number 17 Ryan James
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 David Fifita2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Tyrone PeacheyLock for Raiders is number 13 Ryan Sutton
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Moeaki FotuaikaInterchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
-
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Sam LisoneInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Jaimin JolliffeInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Siliva Havili
-
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Erin ClarkInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Iosia Soliola
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Mo Fotuaika v Josh Papali'i: The young bull and the old bull go head to head in a clash that could shake the grandstand foundations. Fotuaika has already impressed in his young career, winning the club's best and fairest award, the Paul Broughton Medal, as a 19-year-old and gaining Origin selection in 2020.
The Raiders veteran, now in his 11th season in the lime green, easily outpointed the youngster in key statistical categories such as post-contact metres, offloads and run metres in 2020 and will be looking to exert his authority from the kick-off.
Stat attack
Both sides have shown a talent for breaching defensive lines with the Titans tops for line breaks (20) in 2021 and the Raiders equal with the Panthers and Roosters in second place (16).
The sides are also neck and neck in missed tackles, with Canberra (81) ninth and the Gold Coast (79) 10th, so whoever does the best job of plugging leaks will go a long way towards securing victory.
Head to NRL Pick'Em and get pickin’ to win a share of $100,000 cash every week!
