NRL.com's Round 9 preview: Sea Eagles v Titans

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 29 Apr 2023, 04:30 PM

The Sea Eagles will shoot for a third-straight win in Round 9 when they take on a Titans side reeling from ending up on the wrong side of history last week.

Manly had to work for it but got the job done eventually against the bottom-placed Wests Tigers last Sunday, with the 22-16 win solidifying their place in the top four.

The Titans will be keen to make amends for their horror second half against the Dolphins last week, with Justin Holbrook's side hardly firing a shot to record what was the equal worst collapse for a loss in Premiership history – coughing up an initial 26-0 lead to lose 28-26 to Wayne Bennett's side.

Statistically both sides have produced high-scoring matches when taking on each other, with an average of 64 combined points being scored in their last three meetings, and while the Titans recorded a 44-22 win on the Gold Coast in their most recent clash last year, prior to that the Sea Eagles won three on the trot.

The match will mark the first for Kieran Foran taking on his old side as a Titan, albeit nothing new for the veteran after previous stints at the Eels, Bulldogs and Warriors.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Saturday 29 Apr

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Titans

Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Highlights Latest

Team News

Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic (groin) has been ruled out after failing to get through training on Friday with Kaeo Weekes to take his place at fullback. There were no other late changes when the team was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. Christian Tuipulotu returns from a knee injury on the wing and Reuben Garrick moves into the centres to replace Brad Parker (knee). Cooper Johns takes over from Josh Schuster at five-eighth. Kelma Tuilagi (concussion) and Karl Lawton (shoulder) are on track to return with veteran prop Aaron Woods listed as 18th man.

Titans: There were no late changes for the visitors when the team was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. Jojo Fifita is set to return to the side at centre and Phil Sami on the wing in a positional switch from the Round 8 loss to the Dolphins. Klese Haas and Joe Vuna have been added to the bench at the expense of Kruise Leeming and Thomas Mikaele.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Saturday 29 Apr

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Titans

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 19 Kaeo Weekes

Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab

Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Reuben Garrick

Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Morgan Harper

Centre for Titans is number 4 Jojo Fifita
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu

Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Cooper Johns

Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker

Hooker for Titans is number 9 Chris Randall
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Jake Trbojevic

Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi

2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Joe Stimson
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Josh Aloiai

Lock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Karl Lawton

Interchange for Titans is number 14 Jayden Campbell
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Titans is number 15 Erin Clark
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Sean Keppie

Interchange for Titans is number 16 Klese Haas
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley

Interchange for Titans is number 17 Joe Vuna