The Sydney Roosters will be aiming to get back in the winners’ circle when they face the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Gold Coast Titans
This weekend, the Roosters and Titans will meet for the 24th time since 2007, the year the Gold Coast entered the competition.
In the past nine encounters between Clubs, the mighty Tricolours have claimed the two competition points - with their last loss to the Titans coming back in 2016.
The last time they met, James Tedesco crossed for a hattrick while Daniel Tupou and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii claimed doubles to carry the Roosters to a 44-16 win in Mackay.
Both teams enter the Round 21 clash on 20 competition points following three straight losses and will be looking for a win to keep their finals hopes alive.
How They Line Up
Trent Robinson has made two changes to the line-up this week, with Captain James Tedesco returning at fullback and Terrell May replacing Naufahu Whyte on the interchange bench.
The Skipper’s inclusion sees Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii move back to the wing, with Daniel Tupou also featuring in the backline alongside Joseph Manu and Billy Smith.
Luke Keary and Sandon Smith continue their combination in the halves, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Turpin and Lindsay Collins make up the front row.
The starting side is rounded off with Victor Radley, Nat Butcher and Nathan Brown in the back row.
Brandon Smith, Egan Butcher, Siua Wong and May have been named on the interchange bench, while Corey Allan, Dylan Napa, Drew Hutchison, Fetalaiga Pauga and Fletcher Baker complete the line-up on the extended bench.
Match: Titans v Roosters
Round 21 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ BrimsonFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
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Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
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Centre for Titans is number 4 Jojo FifitaCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
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Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip SamiWinger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
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Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran ForanFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
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Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith
Forwards
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Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
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Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Roosters is number 14 Brandon Smith
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Prop for Titans is number 15 Chris RandallProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
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2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
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2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Klese Haas2nd Row for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
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Lock for Titans is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Roosters is number 13 Nathan Brown
Interchange
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Interchange for Titans is number 10 Isaac LiuInterchange for Roosters is number 9 Jake Turpin
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Interchange for Titans is number 14 Jayden CampbellInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Siua Wong
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Interchange for Titans is number 16 Joe StimsonInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
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Interchange for Titans is number 18 Iszac Fa'asuamaleauiInterchange for Roosters is number 22 Fletcher Baker
Reserves
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Replacement for Titans is number 17 Jacob Alick-WienckeReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Corey Allan
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Titans interim coach Jim Lenihan has named Isaac Liu to play prop and Erin Clark to start at lock following the suspension of Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. AJ Brimson returns at fullback after being rested last week.
Key Match Up: Luke Keary vs Kieran Foran
Two veteran playmakers who play a critical role in both sides' attacking prowess will go head-to-head on Saturday afternoon.
Keary has provided the spark for the Tricolours throughout the season, claiming five tries and nine try assists. The Vice Captain has also been strong when putting boot to ball, forcing six drop outs, kicking three goals and averaging 236.9 kicking metres per match.
In his first season at the Titans, Foran has scored three tries and set up another five, steering the Gold Coast based side around the field. The 33-year-old five-eighth records an average of 66.4 kicking metres and 53 run metres per match.
With both sides eager to get their attack flowing following clunky performances in recent weeks, be sure to keep an eye on the experienced campaigners to get things going.
What They Said
"We still have that belief, no matter what’s happened, we’re still grinding, we’re still working hard and doing the best that we can." – Daniel Tupou
Tupou: 'It's Very Special'
Final Verdict
Two teams who are desperate for a win as the finals series approaches will be throwing everything into Saturday’s match when they meet for the only time in 2023.
Don't forget to support the Club and Women's Rugby League and sign up for 2023 NRLW Membership as the Roosters begin their campaign to secure another Premiership!
You can purchase your tickets for our Round 21 clash here. If you can’t make it to Cbus Super Stadium, be sure to attend Easts Bondi Junction where you can watch the game live from Artie’s Bar. Easts are also running happy hour for two hours post-match.
It's not too late to Call yourself a Rooster in 2023! With three home games remaining, sign up today.
