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[VIDEO] New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans highlights: NRL scores, blog

25th April, 2015
Venue: Mount Smart Stadium
Kick-off: 11:45am (AEST)
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Round 25, 2014, Warriors 42 defeated Titans 0 at Mount Smart Stadium
Overall record: Played 16, Warriors 10, Titans 0
Last five meetings: Warriors 5, Titans 0
Referees: Gavin Morris and David Munro
Betting: New Zealand Warriors $1.35, Gold Coast Titans $3.30

Warriors
1 Tuimoala Lolohea, 2 Jonathan Wright, 3 David Fusitu'a, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Manu Vatuvei, 6 Chad Townsend, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Jacob Lillyman, 9 Thomas Leuluai, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Bodene Thompson, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Simon Mannering (c)

Interchange
14 Nathan Friend, 15 Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 16 Sam Lisone, 17 Sam Rapira, 18 Dominique Peyroux

Titans
1 Josh Hoffman, 2 Anthony Don, 3 James Roberts, 4 William Zillman, 5 David Mead, 6 Aidan Sezer, 7 Kane Elgey, 8 Luke Douglas, 9 Beau Falloon, 10 Nate Myles, 11 Ryan James, 12 Lachlan Burr, 13 Greg Bird

Interchange
14 Matt White, 15 Edward Pettybourne, 16 Matt Robinson, 17 Kierran Moseley, 18 Mark Ioane
The Gold Coast travel to Auckland to take on the Warriors. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Charles Knight)
Expert
25th April, 2015
115
4754 Reads

Anzac Day is upon us and what a day we have, with five games in a 10-hour NRL extravaganza. To kick things off the Gold Coast Titans travel to Auckland to take on the unpredictable New Zealand Warriors. Join The Roar for live coverage from 11:25am (AEST).

The Warriors have followed their usual formula this season, being unpredictable and unable to play for 80 minutes or close out a game.

Meanwhile, the Gold Coast Titans have really turned their fortunes around in recent weeks. After losing their opening four games on the trot, they have now won three in a row against the Cronulla Sharks, the Parramatta Eels and the Penrith Panthers.

In team news the Warriors have dropped centre Konrad Hurrell in favour of David Dusitu’a, and Albert Vete is replaced by Sam Rapira on the bench. Dominique Peyroux will be in jersey number 18 on a five-man bench, which also features debutant from last week Raymond Faitala.

The Titans have lost Agnatius Paasi (ankle), Ryan Simpkins (ACL) and Dave Taylor (suspension). Nate Myles returns to the starting side for Paasi at prop, while Lachlan Burr starts in the second row for Taylor. Matt Robinson and Eddy Pettybourne, who is returning from suspension, join the Titans’ five-man bench.

The home ground advantage could have a massive impact on this game. The Titans have an abysmal record away from home, winning just 38 games from 99 since their inception. Further, they have only won two games in New Zealand from seven. Meanwhile, the Warriors, with their passionate fans, are one of the strongest sides in the competition at home.

Chad Townsend has been exceptional for the Warriors throughout 2015, and is key to the Warriors’ chances.

The Titans will aim to win this one by letting their speedy outside backs do the damage as they have done a couple of times already this year. The key to the outside backs dominating will be Aidan Sezer’s kicking and passing game.

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Prediction
The Titans have a shocking away record but their form in recent weeks has been top class. Despite the injuries they should be able to win this in a close one.

Titans in an upset to launch Anzac Day by 8.

In what promises to be a fantastic way to kick off Anzac Day, join The Roar from 11:25 am (AEST) and be sure to leave your comments throughout the game in the section below!

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