Sunday’s second NRL Round 15 match is between Gold Coast Titans and St George Illawarra Dragons with the opening kick to commence at 15:05 local time. The game is to be played at Cbus Super Stadium which see’s home team Gold Coast Titans hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Gold Coast Titans and St George Illawarra Dragons.

Where and when: 15:05 | Sunday 22/06/2014 @ Cbus Super Stadium

Preview:

With five wins from their first six games this season, the Titans were sitting atop of the competition ladder and threatening to make this year, the year they fulfil their potential.

However, last Monday’s defeat against the Storm (24 – 20) was their sixth from their past seven matches and they Gold Coast has plummeted to twelfth on the ladder.

Playing at home, against a side missing Cronk, Slater, Smith and Hoffman, the Titans started favourites, despite missing several key players themselves, but things started to turn sour for them even before kick-off with regular halfback Albert Kelly unable to take his spot in the starting line-up.

Only eight minutes into the game Kelly’s replacement, Beau Henry, left the field after suffering a knee injury and was unable to return.

After being down 10 – nil early, it was a courageous effort by the Titans to have scores locked up at 10 all at the half-time break.

During the second stanza, the lead changed hands four times but ultimately, the Storm’s winning culture prevailed over the Titans’ makeshift but committed side in a frantic final ten minutes that saw three tries scored.

Ben Takairangi has been named at five-eighth this week with Maurice Blair at halfback.

The Origin trio of Bird, Myles and Taylor have been listed in the squad with Bird a starter and Myles and Taylor on an extended bench.

DRAGONS

The Dragons recorded a much needed win, albeit over the struggling Sharks, in round 13 (30 – 0), their first in five matches and backed that up with a strong effort against competition leaders Penrith last week, although coming up just short 18 – 14.

It was clearly evident that the Sharks victory had breathed some new life and confidence into the Dragons outfit last week who although never led during the match, made the Panthers work very hard to earn the victory.

It’s been vastly improved performances by the Dragons in the past fortnight as Benji Marshall finds his NRL legs and his place in the St. George side.

Continuing to improve at this rate could see the Dragons salvage something from this year and prove a real nuisance side for teams vying for a top eight spot.

Josh Duggan and Trent Merrin return to the side after Origin.

HEAD TO HEAD

In the eight games played between these two sides since 2009, the two sides have taken in turns of winning and if that sequence is to continue here, it’ll be the Dragons victorious – and that could be the case.

The Titans, although playing at home, are on a quick back up and their record at Cbus Stadium this year is a poor 2 – 5.

These clashes can often been low-scoring dour affairs with four of the last six contest having produced less than 30 match points.

With both team struggling – combining for one win from their last eleven matches, a similar result may be on the cards here with the Dragons, who have the more settled side and better momentum, coming out on top.

Teams:

TITANS:  1. William Zillman 2. Kevin Gordon 3. Brad Tighe 4. James Roberts 5. David Mead 6. Brad Takairangi 7. Maurice Blair 8. Luke Bailey 9. Beau Falloon 10. Luke Douglas 11. Greg Bird 12. Mark Minichiello 13. Ashley Harrison 14. Matt White 15. Caleb Binge 16. Ben Ridge 17. Matt Srama 18. Dave Taylor 19. Nate Myles

DRAGONS: 1. Adam Quinlan 2. Charly Runciman 3. Josh Dugan 4. Gerard Beale 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Benji Marshall 8. Ben Creagh 9. Mitch Rein 10. Michael Cooper 11. Leeson Ah Mau 12. Joel Thompson 13. Trent Merrin 14. Jack de Belin 15. Will Matthews 16. Shane Pumipi 17. Bronson Harrison

News:

Laurie Daley has hailed NSW’s drought-breaking State of Origin win as the highlight of his glittering career.

Daley became only the second man after Wayne Pearce to play, captain and coach a Blues side to a series win over Queensland and the 44-year-old said the experience of watching his side hold out the Maroons 6-4 to win a a first series in nine years eclipsed anything he achieved as a player.

“It’s an amazing feeling; our supporters have been disappointed for last eight years,” Daley said.

“We didn’t play well but our courage and will to win and inspire one another was enormous.

“As a player, when the kick off happens, you’re not nervous – you have a different adrenaline rush.

“But to see those blokes and how they’ve prepared to win is better than anything. It’s a better feeling as a coach than a player.”

Trent Hodkinson’s try and conversion seven minutes from time sealed the win in front of a crowd of 83,421 – which was just shy of the biggest at ANZ Stadium since the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

The Canterbury halfback became the first Blues No.7 to taste victory against Queensland since Andrew Johns and skipper Paul Gallen admitted he was struggling to express his feelings after leading the side to victory.

“I am a bit numb at the moment. There are a lot of emotions, happiness, relief – bit lost for words,” Gallen said.

“We still haven’t played that well but we’re tough. But who cares? We won!”

The Blues had to withstand a final rally from the Maroons with 12 seconds left on the clock after they conceded a penalty that gave the visitors possession and Gallen admitted he feared the worst.

“I honestly didn’t think we’d won it until Haynesy got the ball and kicked it dead at the end,” he said.

“I was sh***ing myself, Billy (Slater) was running and someone brought him down thankfully.

“I am just glad the penalty wasn’t on the other side. I wouldn’t have wanted to see (Greg) Inglis get the ball at the end.”

Queensland coach Mal Meninga had nothing but praise for his players and said their eight straight Origin successes would never be seen again.

“We’re not wallowing in self-pity,” Meninga said.

“For me, I am so proud of what these players have achieved over the years and won’t be repeated again,” Meninga said.

“We’re not going to make excuses or criticise. We’ve lost 2-0 and have to go to game three and make amends.”

Meninga also laughed off suggestions he might need to rebuild his side after tasting (a series) defeat for the first time since taking over as coach in 2006.

He also said the decision to disallow Sam Thaiday’s try changed the game and was an incorrect ruling from the officials.

“Give this team some praise; we’ve lost one series in nine; let’s give these guys credit,” he said.

“We dominated for 60 minutes and, when we don’t get the try with Sam, we maybe lost composure.

“We pride ourselves on never giving up and play to the 80th minute. These boys tried their backsides off.

“I thought Sam’s try was a try. He was stripped and regathered – it was a try.

“But we’re not going to offer excuses.

“When I see Loz, I’ll say: ‘Well done. You got me’.”