NRL 2023: Titans, Round 1 team: Five debutants to be unleashed in Tiger town

Author: Titans.com.au
Timestamp: Tue 28 Feb 2023, 03:59 PM

Five new players will etch their names in Titans history when they run out for the Gold Coast's season opener against the Tigers on Sunday night.

Justin Holbrook has confirmed a quintet of club debutants will feature in the Round 1 clash, headlined by the highly-anticipated blooding of fast-flying Alofiana Khan-Pereira who will make his maiden NRL appearance on the wing.

Also joining the honour board is Aaron Schoupp, Kieran Foran, Sam Verrills and Joe Stimson who will also run out for their first premiership outing in Titans colours, alongside an unchanged top 17 that demolished the Dolphins a fortnight ago in the major trial at Redcliffe.

A whopping 352 running metres across the two pre-season fixtures has locked Jaimin Jolliffe in to start in the front row alongside captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, with Moeaki Fotuaika to add plenty of punch as an impact forward off the bench.

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Isaac Liu will start at lock with Erin Clark to play as an interchange roaming middle, joining the pine with Jayden Campbell who will be the Titans' ultimate super sub as a dynamic utility weapon.

Sam McIntyre is the 18th man with a number of young stars being named on the extended bench; including Keano Kini who has been upgraded to the Titans' top 30 roster this week.

The Gold Coast have won eight of the last 10 matchups against the Tigers and have come away with the two points in three of the four occasions played at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney.

Kick-off is at 5.15pm AEST on Sunday, March 5, live on Fox League and Kayo Sports.

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