Warriors
19
Match Complete
Titans
6
| C. Harris-Tavita |  | 79 | ||
| 74 |  | J. Fogarty | ||
| 73 |  | C. Thompson | ||
| K. Nikorima | | 69 | ||
| K. Nikorima | | 68 | ||
| K. Nikorima | | 53 | ||
| L. A. Mau | | 51 | ||
| K. Nikorima | | 27 | ||
| B. Sironen | | 25 |
| 3 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 1 | Field Goals | 0 |
The New Zealand Warriors and Gold Coast Titans meet in Round 1 NRL action. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3pm (AEDT).
Two non-semi-finalists in 2020 will face off at Central Coast Stadium, both looking to start their 2021 campaigns in the perfect way.
The two points on offer would be a comforting opening to the year for both coaches, who are looking to improve on some inconsistent performances last season and hoping to finally unlock the secrets to success that lie within their playing rosters.
Nathan Brown makes his coaching debut for the Warriors, looking for another season of fine play from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and hoping Kodi Nikorima finally confirms the potential that many believe he should have capitalised on by this stage of his career.
Justin Holbrook will be looking to steer his Titans to the finals after a season of significant improvement in 2020. That ninth-placed finish included an excellent back half of the season and one that the coach will be hoping bleeds into the early rounds of 2021.
Prediction
Based on their upward curve, the Titans could well be headed to the finals and should be too good for a Warriors team team that looks a little too similar to be truly considered a serious premiership contender.
Titans by 12 points.
Game information
Kick-off: 3pm (AEDT)
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
TV: Fox League
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Titans $1.71, Warriors $2.14 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 11. Eliesa Katoa, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Tohu Harris
Bench/Reserves: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 16. Leeson Ah Mau, 17. Bunty Afoa, 18. Adam Pompey, 20. Sean O’Sullivan, 21. Tom Ale, 22. Josh Curran
Titans
1. AJ Brimson, 2. Corey Thompson, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Anthony Don, 6. Ashley Taylor, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Moeaki Fotuaika, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. David Fifita, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Bench/Reserves: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe, 17. Erin Clark, 18. Phillip Sami, 19. Beau Fermor, 20. Herman Ese’ese, 21. Sam McIntyre
mushi
Roar Guru
Ash Taylor not carrying good end of season form into a new year! I'm stunned!
Popavalium Andropoff
Guest
Can Tanah Boyd get a run? Ash Taylor is a hack!!!
Big Daddy
Guest
I'm probably like everyone and fell into the Titans hype and tipped them. I know it's only round 1 but that's a lot of money spent to have a result like that. If it was Storm or Roosters they were playing you could cop it. I won't be tipping them again real soon.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Titans can't use heat as an excuse Souvalis. It's been hot here on the Coast and the Titans have been training in it for weeks. Holbrook wouldn't cop that I'm sure.
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Stuart. Defensive effort is a good sign for the Warriors in just the first round, positive stuff. Little surprised they have been written off so early in many quarters, easily the best side on paper for some time.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Seemed like a trial. No one went really hard at each other. Heat ? Maybe..
Tony
Roar Guru
Yeah, Rein played well but Taylor was disappointing
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Much better chance than we thought a couple of hours ago, yes.
Tony
Roar Guru
Very refreshing
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Another of the pre season pundits specials for the eight looking ordinary. I’m not sure how much longer the Titans can wait for Ash Taylor to fulfil his “potential”. He is the weakest link in that spine for sure. On a positive note Mitch Rein played a pretty good game today
Tony
Roar Guru
Big chance Andrew
Tony
Roar Guru
Can't argue
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Think I'll have a Pimms.
andrew
Roar Rookie
So the Broncos are a chance next week.
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
Manly are really going to miss AFB today. I think their forwards (apart from Jake T.) are going to struggle against stronger packs this year starting with the Roosters in the next game. I don’t mind getting a tip wrong if it means the Roosters lose but I have the chooks at 20+ against the seagulls.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Well at least my tipping is going good. Definitely off the Titans for the 8. They look like they still have a way to go. Warriors new recruits actually outshone the Titans big name recruits. Fonua Blake and Bailey Sironen were excellent today. Lastly thanks Harris-Tevita for slaughtering my 1-12 with that last second field goal. :crying:
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The New Zealand Warriors have produced an excellent performance to open the season, defeating the Gold Coast Titans by 19-6 at Central Coast Stadium. On a humid and stifling afternoon, the Warriors were the better side by far; controlling the ball brilliantly in an almost faultless handling display. Gold Coast were anything but, dropping the ball in good field position and gifting the Warriors attacking opportunities at the other end. The first half was a cagey affair and the Warriors took a slender six point lead to the sheds after a try to Bayley Sironen. Despite seemingly having the best of the play for a short time early in the second half, the Titans blew chances and the Warriors capitalised with two second half tries before kicking a field goal in the final seconds to ice the game. Nathan Brown will be pleased with many aspects of his team's performance and proud of the defensive effort, Justin Holbrook will not be pleased with the Titan's poor attacking options and a mountain of errors that cost them any chance of opening the season with a win. Final Score New Zealand Warriors…………19 Gold Coast Titans……….…..….6
Tony
Roar Guru
Looked like an out of form Korbin Sims
Tony
Roar Guru
Thanks for the excellent call Stuart. Go and treat yourself to a proper drink.
Tony
Roar Guru
He certainly played his part, particularly in the first 20 minutes