Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 8 match is between Gold Coast Titans and Cronulla Sharks. The opening kick is set to commence at 17:30 local time with the game to be played at Cbus Super Stadium. The home team Gold Coast Titans are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Gold Coast Titans and Cronulla Sharks.
When: 17:30 | Saturday 28/04/2018
Where: Cbus Super Stadium
Preview:
A nasty spray from the coach and a below par performance from the Titans will have the home side fired up for a physical affair.
Titans coach Garth Brennan said schoolboy errors were compounding on-field mistakes and I’m sure the coach and the true senior players have spoken in depth about this and are looking to turn that around.
The problem for the Titans is they take on the gritty and tough Sharks outfit fresh off a victory over the Panthers.
Matt Moylan had his best game for his new club and it just might be what he and the Sharks need moving forward.
Look for him to build off that this week.
Losing Nathan Peats last week was a big blow for the Titans and I thought Mitch Rein’s effort the other night was great.
KEY BATTLE: Jai Arrow v Scott Sorensen
I’m looking forward to the matchup of the two middle forwards in Jai Arrow and Scott Sorensen.
Arrow last week was again outstanding running for over 180m and supplying two offloads while Sorensen, who had his first game for his new club last week, really provided plenty and due to more injuries will be called upon.
The Verdict
I like the Sharks in this one.
Tough, gritty and just know sometimes how to get the job done.
Unibet Odds:
Gold Coast Titans at $2.14
Cronulla Sharks at $1.72
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Gold Coast Titans at $2.15
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Ricky Leutele at $18
More Info:
Teams:
Gold Coast Titans:
1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Brendan Elliot, 4 Konrad Hurrell, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 Bryce Cartwright, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Mitch Rein, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Will Matthews, 13 Jai Arrow Interchange: 14 Max King, 15 Jack Stockwell, 16 Keegan Hipgrave, 17 Morgan Boyle Reserves: 18 Brenko Lee, 19 Ryan Simpkins, 20 AJ Brimson, 21 Kane Elgey.
Cronulla Sharks: 
1 Josh Dugan, 2 Edrick Lee, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Valentine Holmes, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Scott Sorensen, 12 Wade Graham (c), 13 Joseph Paulo Interchange: 14 Jayson Bukuya, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Avagalu Seumanufagai, 17 Kurt Dillion Reserves: 18 Kurt Capewell, 19 Jack Williams, 20 Braden Uele, 21 Trent Hodkinson.
NRL News:
Gold Coast have dropped playmaker Kane Elgey for his defensive frailties with Bryce Cartwright to pull on the No.6 jersey for Saturday’s NRL clash against Cronulla.
It’s coach Garth Brennan’s first big call of his tenure, dumping his five-eighth to Queensland Cup to work on what he described as deficiencies in his game.
Elgey paid the price for a number of costly one-on-one misses in last week’s loss to North Queensland.
“I explained to him today, he’s aware and understands the areas he needs to work on, mainly defensively and taking more control of the team and working with Ash (Taylor),” Brennan said.
“He get a chance to run the team and get more confidence – I think that’s what Kane needs.”
Brennan denied his decision would affect extension talks with the off-contract playmaker and said he expected him to be back in first grade soon.
“He’s very much part of my plans,” Brennan said.
Cartwright has previously expressed his unwillingness to play five-eighth and desire to stay in the back-row.
Despite Cartwright’s defensive lapses being widely noted, Brennan said the move was best for the team.
“If you go back to the best football Bryce played, when everyone talked about him being close to Origin selection, that was in 2016 and he was playing five-eighth,” Brennan said.
“It’s not a position that’s foreign to him. He’s played NRL as a six and I’m more than confident Bryce will do the job for me.”
The Titans have also dropped winger Tyronne Roberts-Davis with Brendan Elliot to come into the backline.
In some much-needed good news for Cronulla, Wade Graham (hamstring) is back however Luke Lewis (calf) will be missing against the Titans.
In other team news, Connor Watson will make a timely comeback and slot straight into the halves in place of Mitchell Pearce (pec).
As expected, Brisbane named Josh McGuire at No.9 in place of Andrew McCullough (elbow) with Kodi Nikorima to spend time at dummy-half off the bench.
In-form youngster Cameron Murray returns from a hamstring injury and will wear the South Sydney No.13 with Sam Burgess once again suspended.
North Queensland workhorse Shaun Fensom will play his first game since suffering a broken leg during last year’s grand final, replacing John Asiata (pec).
With Jarryd Hayne once again out, Bevan French comes onto the Parramatta wing after recovering from a shoulder problem.
Matthew Wright replaces Manly winger Brad Parker (knee) while Wests Tigers back-rower Chris Lawrence is also back.
