The second of Saturday night’s NRL Round 24 matches is between Gold Coast Titans and New Zealand Warriors. The opening kick is set to commence at 5:30PM local time with the game to be played at Skilled Park. The (home or away team depending who is favourite) team the Gold Coast Titans are the current favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Gold Coast Titans and New Zealand Warriors.

Skilled Park

Saturday, 5.30pm

Gold Coast Titans $1.15 vs New Zealand Warriors $5.40 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match

Gold Coast Titans $1.15 vs New Zealand Warriors $5.75 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:

Gold Coast Titans	1.80	1.80	1.85	1.80	1.80	1.82
New Zealand Warriors	1.97	2.00	1.98	2.00	1.97	2.01

Preview:

With it all on the line for these two clubs and, both coming off losses last week, we should see a great clash here and a physical one at that.

Titans hold on to eighth spot courtesy of a better for and against over Canberra with the Warriors, one of three teams only one win behind.

Titans, after a string of very poor performances, were able to straighten up their form with wins over West Tigers and in round 22, Canterbury at ANZ Stadium.

They travelled to North Queensland last week where they found a rejuvenated Cowboys side too good (22 – 10) and the remaining weeks of the competition hold nothing but bad news for the Titans if they wish to hold onto their current position.

After the Warriors this week, whom they haven’t beaten in their past five clashes, the Titans have to face Roosters and Storm in rounds 25 and 26.

The Warriors, who were among the leading chances of securing a finals berth only several weeks ago, slumped to their third straight loss last week when failing to run down the Panthers 28 – 24.

Unlike the Titans, they have a more favourable run home with Raiders and St. George their final two games but, to make these games relevant, a win here is a must.

When they last met, only one point separated them 25 – 24 and we’ll see another close encounter here.

On their best days, both sides can produce the goods but it’s hard to tip one with confidence given the respective records this season.

Teams:

Gold Coast Titans:
William Zillman, Kevin Gordon, Brad Takairangi, Jamie Dowling, David Mead, Aidan Sezer, Albert Kelly, Luke Douglas, Beau Falloon, Nate Myles, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: David Taylor, Ryan James, Ben Ridge, Matt Srama

New Zealand Warriors:
Kevin Locke, Jerome Ropati, Dane Nielsen, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Suaia Matagi, Elijah Taylor, Simon Mannering, Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Dominique Peyroux, Ngani Laumape

Ropati makes another comeback from injury

Injury-plagued Jerome Ropati is ready to play his first NRL match in more than three months after being named in the Warriors’ team for Saturday’s NRL clash against the Gold Coast Titans in Robina.

Ropati, whose last NRL game was also against the Titans when the Warriors won by one point at Mount Smart, has been selected on the right wing replacing rookie Ngani Laumape.

Ropati’s May 5 appearance was the 28-year-old international’s second NRL match back from knee surgery, only to be sidelined by a hamstring complaint.

“Jerome has been working his way back to a return to the NRL,” Warriors coach Matthew Elliott said in a statement.

“He has been a part of all our training lately and it was only a matter of time before he came back into the side.”

In other changes to the Warriors’ line-up, Suaia Matagi has been named in the run-on side, Elijah Taylor moves from loose forward to start in the second row, Todd Lowrie will wear the No.13 jersey and Feleti Mateo is on the interchange alongside Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Dominique Peyroux and Laumape.

Dane Nielsen is named in the centres despite before being forced off with an ankle sprain just 12 minutes into Sunday’s 24-28 loss to Penrith.

Warriors: Kevin Locke, Jerome Ropati, Dane Nielsen, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Suaia Matagi, Elijah Taylor, Simon Mannering (captain), Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Dominique Peyroux, Ngani Laumape.