Match Preview: NRL Round 3 vs. Titans

Wests Tigers will look to extend their winning streak to three games in a row when they take on the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium this Saturday.

Jason Taylor’s side have started the year in superb fashion — first defeating the New Zealand Warriors at Campbelltown before backing that result up with another strong attacking performance on Monday night against the Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval.

They’ll head to the Gold Coast with plenty of confidence ahead of Saturday night’s game, but still wary of the challenging road trip ahead. Wests Tigers have won four of their eight matches away to the Titans — including a 19-18 win when they met there in 2015 — but the Titans have recorded victories in each of their last five home games at Cbus Super Stadium..

Neil Henry’s side have started the year with mixed results — an opening round win over the Newcastle Knights was met with a tough loss to the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park last week — but there were plenty of signs last week to suggest that this match will be close and well-contested. The Titans may seem inexperienced in the backs, but with the likes of David Shillington, Nathan Friend, Greg Bird and Chris McQueen in the forwards, there’s no doubting that they’ll prove to be tough opponents come Saturday night.

Be there on Easter Monday as we take on the Eels at ANZ Stadium! Get your tickets here!

Match Details

Date — Saturday, March 19, 2016

Time — 8:30pm local time (9:30pm AEDT)

Venue — Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Match Officials

On-Field Referees — Gavin Badger and Chris James

Touch Judges — Clayton Sharpe and Dave Ryan

Review Officials — Jason Robinson and Ben Galea

TV, Live Stream and Radio Information

TV — Live via Fox Sports 1 (subscription required)

Live Stream — Foxtel Go, NRL Digital Pass (subscription required)

Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 873 2GB (check local guides)

Confirmed Squads

2016 Recent Results

Wests Tigers

R1 — Wests Tigers 34 def. New Zealand Warriors 26

R2 — Wests Tigers 36 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 22

Gold Coast Titans

R1 — Gold Coast Titans 30 def. Newcastle Knights 12

R2 — Melbourne Storm

Last Time They Met — Gold Coast Titans 27 def. Wests Tigers 20 (R13, 2015)

It was a disappointing result last time out for Wests Tigers, who fell to the Titans 27-20 in wet conditions at Leichhardt Oval. Down 19-2, the home side produced a stunning comeback thanks to two tries from Chris Lawrence to lead 20-19, before a string of penalties and errors allowed the Titans back into the match with a late try and penalty.

The History

·       Against the Titans — Played 15, Won 7, Lost 8

·       At Cbus Super Stadium — Played 8, Won 4, Lost 4

The Threat to Watch — Ashley Taylor, HLB

A young halfback given a big opportunity on the Gold Coast since his move from Brisbane, Ash Taylor has looked composed and settled since donning the No. 7 jersey alongside former Newcastle half Tyrone Roberts. Taylor has registered three try-assists in the year so far — trailing only Mitchell Moses in this department across the entire competition — and is yet to make an error this season as well. Roberts has been taking on the majority of the kicking and first receiver duties to start the year, leaving Taylor free to roam at second receiver and pick of the defence. Wests Tigers’ right-edge defence has been strong to start the year, but it needs to be on it’s game again on Saturday night to handle the combination of Taylor and Josh Hoffman.

Three Final Facts

·       Wests Tigers have won three of their last four games on the Gold Coast

·       James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses lead the NRL with five tries and try-assists

·       Wests Tigers have kicked a field goal in three of their seven wins over the Titans