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Warriors
26
Match Complete
Titans
10
| C. Harris-Tavita |  | 72 | ||
| T. Harris |  | 71 | ||
| 63 | | A. Don | ||
| 60 | | A. Taylor | ||
| 59 | | D. Copley | ||
| C. Harris-Tavita | | 50 | ||
| R. Tuivasa-Sheck | | 49 | ||
| C. Harris-Tavita |  | 46 | ||
| D. Fusitu'a | | 36 | ||
| C. Harris-Tavita | | 34 | ||
| C. Harris-Tavita | | 12 | ||
| P. Hiku | | 10 |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The New Zealand Warriors have clinched their second win of the season over an abysmal Gold Coast Titans outfit at Mt Smart Stadium.
The Titans, who struggled for ball control and effort in defence when put to the task, were scoreless at halftime and only were able to grab a couple of tries in the last 20 minutes as they crashed to their fourth loss in as many starts.
It was all the Titans early in the game after the Warriors put the opening kick-off out on the full, but they struggled to score or even challenge the Warriors line, with their attack looking clunky and disjointed.
They had their excuses given it was Ashley Taylor’s first game of the year after missing the first three rounds with injury, but errors crept into their game the longer they went without scoring.
The longer the Warriors defended their line, the more confident they looked, and the first time they got a chance to attack, it was Peta Hiku crashing over for the opening points of the game.
The hosts had few chances to attack in the first half, but went to the sheds with a 12-point lead after a penalty goal and try to David Fusitu’a, who came up with a great finish in the corner to score for the first time this season.
The Titans showed more energy after the break, but were struggling to find any control over the game, and it showed as they gave away a penalty from close range, allowing Channel Harris-Tavita to extend the game to over two converted tries with a penalty goal.
The debutant half was superb in his first NRL game, but it was Blake Green who stole the show just minutes later as he combined with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on a lovely short pass, sending the fullback away to extend the lead to 20.
AJ Brimson came into the game just before the hour mark and for the first time, the Titans looked better than they had all game, finding two quick tries through Dale Copley and Anthony Don, but that would be the end of their recovery.
More errors derailed the visitors, before Tohu Harris crashed over to put the game beyond doubt just minutes from fulltime.
The Warriors now head to the Sunshine Coast for a clash with South Sydney, while the Titans host the Panthers in the early Friday game next week.
Final score
New Zealand Warriors 26
Gold Coast Titans 10
The New Zealand Warriors will be hoping a new halves combination can bring about a change of fortunes as they do battle with the similarly struggling Gold Coast Titans in Round 4. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6pm (AEDT).
The Titans are still searching for their first win of 2019, and having lost 14 of their last 16 matches against the Warriors, things aren’t about to get any easier for the struggling club.
They are boosted by the return of Ashley Taylor, but the Warriors too, will be desperate for a win after coach Stephen Kearney swung the axe when teams were announced on Tuesday.
Chanel Harris-Tavita will get his first run for the club in the halves alongside Blake Green for a Warriors side who looked like world-beaters when they thumped the Canterbury Bulldogs at home in Round 1, but have looked anything but in big losses to the Wests Tigers and Manly Sea Eagles since then.
The loss last weekend to Manly was a major concern for the club. Their forwards looked slow, their attack poor, and more than that, they fell into old habits of miracle plays and high error counts.
Without Shaun Johnson this season, they must be more consistent, and need to be wary of Garth Brennan’s side, who showed some improvement last weekend in a tough eight-point loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The Titans started slowly last week, but put in their best half of footy for the season during the second 40. They were still making errors, but their defence was better, and attack more consistent.
It’s the consitency they must start getting back this week with Taylor on the park, lining up alongside AJ Brimson in the halves.
If their forwards can hold their own and allow the dynamic duo time and space, the Titans could use their outside backs to their advantage, but they must start well. A five-day turnaround and travel to Auckland could mean they run out of puff well before the final siren.
Prediction
The Warriors are at home, and the Titans have the added problem of a five-day turnaround with one of those spent in transit to New Zealand. It might be a tight first half, but this game could open right up in the second, and should the hosts take their chances, they should be in for a big win.
Warriors by 20.
Be sure to join The Roar for our live coverage of this Friday night NRL match from 6pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 6pm (AEDT)
Venue: MT.Smart Stadium, Auckland
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo Sports, NRL live pass
Betting: Warriors $1.65, Titans $2.30
Overall record: Played 24, Warriors 16, Titans 8
Last meeting: Round 20, 2018 – Titans 36 defeat Warriors 12 at CBus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Last five: Warriors 4, Titans 1
Record at the venue: Played 11, Warriors 8, Titans 3
Referees: Peter Gough and Jon Stone
New Zealand Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Chanel Harris-Tevita, 7. Blake Green, 8. Agnatius Paasi, 9. Karl Lawton, 10. Leeson Ah Mau, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Adam Blair
Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Lachlan Burr, 17. Ligi Sao, 18 Gerard Beale, 20. Leivaha Pulu 21. Adam Keighran, 22. Blake Ayshford
Gold Coast Titans
1. Michael Gordon, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Tyrone Peachey, 4. Brian Kelly, 5. Dale Copley, 6. Alexander Brimson, 7. Ashley Taylor, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Ryan James, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Bryce Cartwright, 13. Jai Arrow
Interchange: 14. Alexander Brimson, 15. Moeaki Fotuaika, 16. Shannon Boyd, 17. Keegan Hipgrave, 18. Max King, 19. Phillip Sami, 20. Ryley Jacks, 21. Jai Whitbread
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