Titans v Roosters: Brimson to start; Roosters lose Smith
The Gold Coast Titans will celebrate Kieran Foran's 300th NRL game as they battle to keep their slim finals hopes alive against the Roosters on Sunday.
The half-back reached the milestone in last week's loss to the Dragons in Wollongong, with the club to mark the occasion in his return to the Gold Coast this weekend.
A win would be the perfect way to celebrate and keep the Titans within touching distance of the top eight.
The defeat to St George Illawarra leaves them six points outside the eighth, meaning they need to win their finals three games and hope other results go their way to have any chance of playing finals football.
Moeaki Fotuaika is set to return from suspension for the Gold Coast while Beau Fermor is also back from injury.
SportsBet Betting Preview - Titans v Roosters
The task is much simpler for the Roosters, with Trent Robinson's men firmly entrenched inside the eight but in a battle of their own to finish in the top four.
The side currently sits third, two points behind second-placed Penrith, level on points with Cronulla and two points ahead of fifth-placed Canterbury.
While Robinson has said a top-four finish isn't a priority, it will make their premiership quest significantly smoother if they can achieve it.
The Roosters will welcome back Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from suspension this weekend, with Michael Jennings also available after completing his ban.
Match: Titans v Roosters
Round 25 -
home Team
Titans
14th Position
away Team
Roosters
2nd Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Team News
Titans: After playing just 12 minutes off the bench against the Dragons, AJ Brimson has been named to start in the centres after the squad was trimmed to 19 players on Saturday. Beau Fermor (kidney) and Moeaki Fotuaika (suspended) are back on deck so Erin Clark and Klese Haas go back the bench. Keenan Palasia joined the bench on Saturday. Winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored eight tries in his past five games at Cbus Super Stadium. There were no late changes on Sunday afternoon with Tanah Boyd remaining in the squad as 18th man.
Roosters: Sandon Smith came into the starting side for Brandon Smith in Saturday's team update but he will now start the match from the bench, with Zach Dockar-Clay to begin the game at hooker. Michael Jennings remains in the squad as 18th man. Forward leader Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is back from a four-game ban so Spencer Leniu reverts to the bench. Nat Butcher is back from a rib cartilage injury to fill the void left by Connor Watson (concussion protocols). The Roosters have won their past 10 games against the Titans.
Match: Titans v Roosters
Round 25 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano KiniFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
-
Centre for Titans is number 14 AJ BrimsonCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo FifitaWinger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden CampbellFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
-
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Kieran ForanHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Roosters is number 21 Zach Dockar-Clay
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Jaimin JolliffeProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Chris RandallLock for Roosters is number 16 Sitili Tupouniua
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Isaac LiuInterchange for Roosters is number 13 Nat Butcher
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Erin ClarkInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith
-
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Klese HaasInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer Leniu
-
Interchange for Titans is number 19 Keenan PalasiaInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
Reserves
-
Replacement for Titans is number 18 Tanah BoydReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Michael Jennings
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Titans have not defeated the Roosters at Cbus Super Stadium since 2016.
- The Roosters have won their past 10 games against the Titans.
- Titans winger Jojo Fifita has scored five tries in his past three games.
- Roosters fullback James Tedesco has scored nine tries in his past seven games against the Titans.
- Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored eight tries in his past five games at Cbus Super Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
