Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 2 match is between New Zealand Warriors and Gold Coast Titans. The opening kick is set to commence at 15:05 local time with the game to be played at Mt Smart Stadium. The home team New Zealand Warriors are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between New Zealand Warriors and Gold Coast Titans.
When: 15:05 | Saturday 17/03/2018
Where: Mt Smart Stadium
Preview:
Heavily criticised in the past, the Warriors pack stepped up to the plate in the Warriors’ first round win over the Rabbitohs.
On the back of their forwards surges, the Warriors pack averaged 43.2 metres per set, the 5th best mark in the NRL.
One forward who isn’t there is veteran forward Simon Mannering who is expected to miss another week with a shoulder injury.
The Warriors lead 13-4 since 2010 and have dominated the recent fixtures winning the last 5.
Gold Coast’s last win in the series was a 32-28 victory on April 25, 2015.
The Verdict
Should be an entertaining match with both teams entering the clash on the back of plenty of momentum after somewhat unexpected wins in round 1.
As an away underdog after a win, the Titans are 7-11 (38.9 percent) since 2013 while the Warriors are 13-17-4 (38.2 percent) as a favourite from 2015 in the “First half (highest scoring half)” market.
In night matches at Mt Smart Stadium, the Warriors have a 9-3 (75 percent) O/U record since 2015.
Unibet Odds: New Zealand Warriors 1.38 Gold Coast Titans 3.10
Odds:
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Tip: New Zealand Warriors at $1.30
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Ken Maumalo at $10.00
More Info:
Teams:
Warriors:
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2 David Fusitu’a 3 Peta Hiku 4 Solomone Kata 5 Ken Maumalo 6 Blake Green 7 Shaun Johnson 8 James Gavet 9 Issac Luke 10 Adam Blair 11 Isaiah Papali’i 12 Tohu Harris 13 Ligi Sao. Interchange: (from) 14 Sam Cook 15 Leivaha Pulu 16 Sam Lisone 17 Bunty Afoa 18 Anthony Gelling 20 Jazz Tevaga 21 Agnatius Paasi 22. Mason Lino.
Titans:
1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Dale Copley, 4 Konrad Hurrell, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 Kane Elgey, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jai Arrow, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Leilani Latu, 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Ryan James (c), 13 Bryce Cartwright Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Max King, 16 Will Matthews, 17 Morgan Boyle Reserves: 18 Keegan Hipgrave, 19 Joe Greenwood, 20 Jai Whitbread, 21 AJ Brimson.
NRL News:
The Warriors have ended their Perth hoodoo in impressive fashion with a 32-20 win over South Sydney in their NRL clash at Optus Stadium.
The Warriors entered Saturday’s match having lost all nine previous games in Perth.
But they made sure the first rugby league match at Perth’s new stadium was one to remember, running in six tries to four in an easy victory.
The Warriors were widely tipped to struggle this year, but they looked dangerous in attack and much fitter than the team who ended last season with nine-consecutive losses.
In contrast, Souths were out of sorts in attack, and missed too many tackles under new coach Anthony Seibold.
And they copped two dubious refereeing decisions in the first half.
The Rabbitohs were left seething in the 32nd minute when Warriors prop Sam Lisone was awarded a try on review despite an apparent obstruction.
The on-field referee initially disallowed the try, deeming Warriors forward Isaiah Papali’i had obstructed Adam Reynolds in the lead-up.
But the try was awarded on review after the video referee deemed Reynolds had already committed to tackling Papali’i, and wouldn’t have reached Lisone in any case.
And the Rabbitohs cried foul in the 38th minute when a Robert Jennings try was disallowed because Walker’s pass was ruled forward.
A minute later, the Warriors scored their fourth try after a brilliant run from Shaun Johnson opened the door for David Fusitu’a to cross, giving them a 20-10 halftime lead.
“Yeah, big turning point,” Seibold said of the disallowed try.
“We had a chance to tie it up – really disappointed.
“But we need to be able to handle that. A couple of things went against us like the try being disallowed and a couple of penalties.
“But unless we improve defensively, particularly that first contact, then we’re going to have some more-challenging games.”
Warriors coach Stephen Kearney was proud of his players.
Although Kearney said the team hadn’t focused on their Perth horror record, he said the opening-round win would give them a big boost.
“The boys would gain a great deal of belief from that,” Kearney said.
“They feel good about themselves.”
Former Manly five-eighth Blake Green starred in his Warriors debut, helping control the game and proving a perfect foil for halfback Johnson.
Star Rabbitohs veteran Greg Inglis failed to have his usual impact in his first NRL game since injuring his knee in last season’s corresponding round.
But importantly, he finished the game unscathed.
A late conversion by Reynolds after Cody Walker’s second try means he’s just the third Rabbitohs’ player to pass 1000 points.
