Match Preview: Round 1 vs Gold Coast Titans

Author: Thomas Beauchamp & Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Thu 2 Mar 2023, 12:50 PM

Wests Tigers will be hoping for a winning start to the 2023 season when they return home to Leichhardt Oval to face the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday evening.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Sunday 5 Mar

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Titans

Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Highlights Latest

The match signals the start of a new era for the joint-venture, with head coach Tim Sheens taking the helm for the first time in 3837 days, alongside assistant coaches Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.

Up front, Sheens and his coaching staff have named recent recruits David Klemmer and Isaiah Papali’i alongside new captain Api Koroisau at hooker.

David Klemmer enjoying his first hit-out for Wests Tigers at Belmore

In the backline, David Nofoaluma has returned to the club following a loan deal with Melbourne Storm and will be joined by Brent Naden, Tommy Talau and ex-Panther Charlie Staines.

The 'Forbes Ferrari' touches down at Belmore

Alex Twal is set to come off the bench in his first NRL match since a serious concussion ended his 2022 season, while Asu Kepaoa will provide useful versatility, able to play on an edge or in the outside backs..

Alex Twal makes his long-awaited return against the Raiders at Belmore

For the opposition, Tanah Boyd has been named at halfback alongside David Fifita and Jojo Fifita on a dangerous right edge.

Kieran Foran will operate on the left side of the field and will be aiming to unleash debutant speedster Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who scored a hat-trick in his club’s final trial match.

Kieran Foran preparing for his first season at the Titans

The Titans have proven to be a tricky opposition for the joint-venture, having won the last four encounters between the two clubs in Sydney dating back to 2011.

However, on the only occasion that the teams have opened their seasons against one another, Wests Tigers emerged victorious in 2015.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Sunday 5 Mar

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Titans

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie

Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma

Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Brent Naden

Centre for Titans is number 3 Aaron Schoupp
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Tommy Talau

Centre for Titans is number 4 Phillip Sami
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines

Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo Fifita
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi

Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Titans is number 8 Jaimin Jolliffe
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake Simpkin

Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer

Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shawn Blore

2nd Row for Titans is number 17 Joe Stimson
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal

Lock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Interchange for Titans is number 14 Jayden Campbell
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue

Interchange for Titans is number 15 Erin Clark
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Fonua Pole

Interchange for Titans is number 16 Moeaki Fotuaika
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Asu Kepaoa

Interchange for Titans is number 18 Sam McIntyre