Wests Tigers and the Gold Coast Titans will both look to put heartbreaking losses behind them when they meet this Sunday afternoon at Cbus Super Stadium.
Leading midway through the second half and in a position to win last week’s clash against the Parramatta Eels, Ivan Cleary’s side will be desperate to put a 17-16 defeat in the rear view mirror and end a run of two consecutive defeats. Despite a record that shows just one win from the last ten games, Wests Tigers have clearly been an improved outfit in that time and have taken top teams all the way on numerous occasions.
One of those defeats was against the boys from the Gold Coast just five weeks ago, with a controversial no-try ruling in the second half denied Wests Tigers a chance to level the match — instead, quickly falling behind as Jarryd Hayne and Konrad Hurrell took over.
The home side will be without their wrecking ball centre this week after picking up a hamstring injury in last week’s loss to the Penrith Panthers — a game that could well have gone the other way if not for two Titans errors that led directly to Penrith tries.
With their season on the line and likely needing to win every game for the remainder of 2017 in order to play finals football, Neil Henry’s men will be looking to keep their slim finals hopes alive this Sunday by chalking up another victory in front of their home fans.
Henry has opted to keep Tyrone Roberts and Ash Taylor in the halves for Sunday’s game, but Kane Elgey might be a late inclusion after being listed amongst the reserves.
The five-eighth came off the interchange bench in last week’s defeat to the Panthers.
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MATCH DETAILS
Date — Sunday, July 30, 2017
Time — 4:00pm AEST
Venue — Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
TV, LIVE STREAM AND RADIO INFORMATION
TV — Live via Channel 9 and Fox League (Ch.502)
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, FM 104.9 Triple M
Live Stream — Live via Foxtel Go, NRL Digital Pass (subscription required)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referees — Adam Gee and Chris James
Touch Judges — Nick Beashel and Nick Morel
Video Referees — Bernard Sutton and Luke Patten
LATEST CROWNBET ODDS
Head-to-Head — Wests Tigers ($3.40), Gold Coast Titans ($1.33)
Line — Wests Tigers + 9.5 ($1.92), Gold Coast Titans -9.5 ($1.92)
Latest odds via CrownBet.com.au (18+ only, gamble responsibly)
Odds correct as of Thursday, July 27, 2017 at 12:00pm
TEAM NEWS
Wests Tigers
Chris Lawrence (hamstring) returns to the starting side, while Tim Grant also starts up front alongside Aaron Woods as per last week’s late change. Elijah Taylor starts in the back row while Matt Eisenhuth has been named as lock — again, as per last week — while Sauaso Sue returns from suspension to join the interchange list. Joel Edwards (concussion) and Josh Aloiai (knee) have both been included amongst the reserves.
Gold Coast Titans
Konrad Hurrell is replaced in the centres by John Olive while Karl Lawton replaces Kane Elgey on the bench, with the five-eighth dropping out of the 17 to the reserves list.
Team Lists Update
4:00pm, Tuesday — 21-man squads announced — Click here!
4:00pm, Saturday — 19-man squads announced
3:00pm, Sunday — Final 17-man team lists announced
RECENT RESULTS
Wests Tigers
Round 16 — Gold Coast Titans 26 def. Wests Tigers 14
Round 17 — Wests Tigers 33 def. Newcastle Knights 12
Round 18 — BYE
Round 19 — Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 28 def. Wests Tigers 16
Round 20 — Parramatta Eels 17 def. Wests Tigers 16
Gold Coast Titans
Round 16 — Gold Coast Titans 26 def. Wests Tigers 14
Round 17 — Gold Coast Titans 20 def. St. George-Illawarra Dragons 10
Round 18 — BYE
Round 19 — Gold Coast Titans 30 def. Cronulla Sharks 10
Round 20 — Penrith Panthers 24 def. Gold Coast Titans 16
THE HISTORY
· Head-to-Head — Played 18, Wests Tigers 7, Gold Coast 11
· At Cbus Super Stadium — Played 9, Wests Tigers 4, Gold Coast 5
· Last Time They Met — Gold Coast Titans 26 def. Wests Tigers 14 (Rd.16, 2017)
TEAM MATCHUP
|
Wests Tigers |
Gold Coast Titans |
Position |
15th (12 points) |
11th (18 points) |
Home Form |
Won 1, Lost 8 |
Won 4, Lost 5 |
Away Form |
Won 3, Lost 6 |
Won 3, Lost 6 |
Points Scored |
283 points (15th) |
390 points (5th) |
Points Conceded |
453 points (15th) |
440 points (14th) |
