Titans v Knights: Injuries cause major reshuffle; Maynard returns
In this week's grand final rematch, both teams come into the game off losses, with Newcastle no doubt smarting after they were overrun by Brisbane last week, while the Titans could not break down the defence of the Eels, despite dominating possession.
The Titans have lacked fluency in attack overall this season - in part due to a mixing and matching of combinations in the halves - but have also been unable to execute their attack as effectively as they would like when they have the ball.
Newcastle remain in the top four and have had a mixed bag of results so far, but have also had to contend with the early season loss of representative forward Caitlan Johnston-Green, which cannot be underestimated as much of their play would have relied on her big carries.
For the most part however, the Knights issue so far has been their inability to maintain their focus for the full 70 minutes, with stretches of great play let down by costly lapses.
Match: Titans v Knights
Round 8 -
home Team
Titans
7th Position
away Team
Knights
4th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Titans: Some major changes with Lauren Brown out with a broken hand, seeing Lailani Montgomery come into the halfback role. There will be a new centre pairing this week with Jaime Chapman to return from a hamstring niggle and Taliah Fuimaono back from suspension, with Niall Williams-Guthrie out with a lisfranc injury and last week's debutant Sarina Masaga moving to the bench. Lily Kolc also comes onto the bench in place of Matekino Gray who is out with a shoulder injury, with Georgia Sim the new 18th player.
Knights: Only one change to the Newcastle line-up for their trip up to Queensland to face the Titans, with Nita Maynard coming onto the bench with Evie Jones reverting to 18th player.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 Evania PeliteFullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Georgia GreyWinger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan Gallagher
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Jaime ChapmanCentre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 Taliah FuimaonoCentre for Knights is number 4 Abigail Roache
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Emily BassWinger for Knights is number 5 Tenika Willison
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Sienna LofipoFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia Roche
-
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Lailani MontgomeryHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Shannon MatoProp for Knights is number 8 Rima Butler
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Brittany Breayley-NatiHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Jessika EllistonProp for Knights is number 10 Simone Karpani
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Zara Canfield2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Shaylee Bent2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Georgia HaleLock for Knights is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Lily-Rose KolcInterchange for Knights is number 14 Nita Maynard
-
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Laikha ClarkeInterchange for Knights is number 15 Kayla Romaniuk
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Sarina MasagaInterchange for Knights is number 16 Tayla Predebon
-
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Ngatokotoru ArakuaInterchange for Knights is number 17 Viena Tinao
Reserves
-
Replacement for Titans is number 18 Georgia SimReplacement for Knights is number 18 Evie Jones
-
Reserve for Titans is number 19 Dannii PereseReserve for Knights is number 19 Lilly-Ann White
-
Reserve for Titans is number 20 Hailee-Jay Ormond-MaunsellReserve for Knights is number 20 Jules Kirkpatrick
-
Reserve for Titans is number 21 Malaela SuaReserve for Knights is number 21 Grace Kukutai
-
Reserve for Titans is number 22 Estanoa FaitalaReserve for Knights is number 22 Jacinta Carter
Titans Ins
- Dannii Perese
- Estanoa Faitala
- Georgia Sim
- Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
- Jaime Chapman
- Malaela Sua
- Taliah Fuimaono
Knights Ins
- Grace Kukutai
- Jacinta Carter
- Jules Kirkpatrick
- Lilly-Ann White
Titans Outs
- Lauren Brown
- Matekino Gray
- Niall Williams-Guthrie
Knights Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Titans have won four of their past five games at Cbus Super Stadium.
- The Knights have won their past three games against the Titans.
- Titans winger Emily Bass has scored a try in three consecutive games.
- Knights fullback Tamika Upton has scored six tries in her past six games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
