Titans must show pride against Warriors

Interim coach Neil Henry has warned Gold Coast they’re facing a hiding if they don’t lift their effort against the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday.

The embattled Titans, already missing representative forwards Nate Myles (shoulder) and Dave Taylor (calf), will head across the Tasman without veteran NRL prop Luke Bailey.

The 34-year-old has a neck injury and will not take on the Warriors, deepening an injury crisis which has forced Henry to shuffle Brad Takairangi from centre to the back-row.

Henry says despite those woes, the Titans will need to lift from their disappointing display last weekend against St George Illawarra, particularly given the Warriors being right in the hunt for a top eight spot.

“We need to move on and be much better otherwise we’ve got a side that can put 40 or 50 points on us,” Henry said.

“They’re coming off back-to-back losses and need to win to be in the finals hunt. We know they’re going to be very determined.

“We’re a bits and pieces team at the moment but there’s no excuse. Once you get out there with the 17 players that you have a dig and we’re confident we can do that.”

Mercurial youngster James Roberts left Thursday’s training session early due to back spasms but Henry is confident the lightning quick back will be fit to play the Warriors.

He also said Bailey, off-contract and expected to retire at season’s end, hasn’t played the last game of his NRL career.

“It’s not going to be right for the weekend but we’re very confident that it’ll be right for the Bulldogs game,” he said.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!