Titans v Knights preview: Kelly back; Ponga returns
The Gold Coast are coming off a loss and another hit to their play-making stocks but are developing a steely attitude that will help when they host Newcastle on Saturday.
One of the NRL's pre-season darlings, the Titans are sitting 2-2 and just outside the eight but said all the right things after their defeat at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
More importantly, their big off-season acquisitions, David Fifita and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, have stood tall even in the defeats.
The Knights, meanwhile, suffered a string of injuries to key players in Sunday's loss to St George Illawarra. It was the second defeat in as many weeks at home.
Titans v Knights
Match: Titans v Knights
Round 5 -
home Team
Titans
7th Position
away Team
Knights
11th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
The rundown
Team news
Titans: Ash Taylor is a late inclusion in the Titans halves after recovering from a broken hand, with Tanah Boyd dropping out of the squad. Beau Fermor is the 18th man.
Halfback Jamal Fogarty will play despite failing to finish the round-four loss to Canberra after a cork to his quad. Centre Brian Kelly makes his return from a broken hand.
Kelly's comeback will push Phillip Sami back on to the wing with Anthony Don (hip injury) making way.
Herman Ese'ese and Sam McIntyre were the two players left out 24 hours before the match.
The Titans have scored 30 points or more in their past five games against the Knights at Cbus Super Stadium.
Knights: Chris Randall will start at lock with Sauaso Sue to come off the interchange. Jack Johns dropped out of the extended squad on game day while Nathanael Sasagi is the 18th man.
Kalyn Ponga has recovered from his shoulder injury and will play his first match of 2021, while David Klemmer will also start after avoiding a serious knee injury last week.
Tex Hoy wasn't named after suffering a hamstring injury last weekend. With Mitchell Pearce to miss 10-12 weeks (pectoral injury), Blake Green will start at halfback while Connor Watson has moved from the bench to five-eighth to replace Kurt Mann (head knock).
Brayden Musgrove and Garrett Smith were the two players omitted 24 hours before kick-off.
The Knights have not won on the Gold Coast since 2015.
Match: Titans v Knights
Round 5 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ BrimsonFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Phillip SamiWinger for Knights is number 2 Starford To'a
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 Patrick HerbertCentre for Knights is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Corey ThompsonWinger for Knights is number 5 Hymel Hunt
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 21 Ashley TaylorFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Connor Watson
-
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Knights is number 7 Blake Green
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Jarrod WallaceProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Mitch ReinHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 David Fifita2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Tyrone PeacheyLock for Knights is number 14 Chris Randall
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Moeaki FotuaikaInterchange for Knights is number 13 Sauaso Sue
-
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Sam LisoneInterchange for Knights is number 15 Pasami Saulo
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Jaimin JolliffeInterchange for Knights is number 16 Josh King
-
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Erin ClarkInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Reserves
-
Reserve for Titans is number 18 Beau FermorReserve for Knights is number 20 Simi Sasagi
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
David Fifita v Tyson Frizell. An Australian team would happily have this pair as its starting back-rowers. The clash between proven performer Frizell and young star Fifita should be something else. Both have started 2021 strongly.
Stat Attack
Blake Green played 30 minutes and made three runs, made seven tackles and put in seven kicks in his return match from an ACL injury. With Mitchell Pearce out, an 80-minute performance will be expected of him against the Gold Coast. This is precisely what they signed him for.
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