Roosters v Titans Preview
NRL.com
SFS
Friday, 7.35pm
YOUVE got to feel for the Titans.
Having plunged from co-competition leaders a few short weeks ago they now cling to seventh position and face the remainder of the season without star playmaker Scott Prince and tearaway prop Luke Bailey.
Among others.
Also gone for the next crucial stage of the comp are Origin back-rower Ashley Harrison (five weeks) and most-improved Titan Mark Minichiello (four weeks).
In three weeks theyve blown from a $13 quote to win the comp to a slim $67 chance.
And this week they lock horns with high-flying competition co-leaders the Roosters.
Away from home.
Theyve played spirited football in their past two losses to the Dragons and Sea Eagles but spirit will only take them so far as they discovered last week, surrendering a two-point lead with 18 minutes to go before being over-run by 20.
This week Will Matthews (two career games) takes Minichiellos second-row spot, James Stosic starts at prop (with Michael Henderson sitting on the bench) and Daniel Conn starts at lock.
Josh Graham and Gavin Cooper are the new starting centres (for injured pair Luke ODwyer and Brett Delaney) while Jordan Rapana covers for sidelined winger Brenton Bowen.
Toyota Cup star Shannon Walker and Matthew Cross join the bench.
Meanwhile the Roosters remain c**k-a-hoop at their progress in 2008.
The co-competition leaders have won seven of their past eight with their only blemish a 42-0 drubbing at the hands of the Sea Eagles in round 13.
They are fresh off the bye and regain five of their six Origin stars, with Nate Myles serving a six-game suspension incurred from a dangerous tackle in the series decider.
Sia Soliola and James Aubusson are last-round casualties; Setaimata Sa moves into the centres and Riley Brown moves to hooker.
Worryingly, no Gold Coast outfit has ever beaten the Roosters at the SFS thats nine losses in total.
Watch out Roosters: Having run the pencil through half a dozen names the Titans are left looking to fullback Preston Campbell for their attacking spark.
Campbell is in career-best form; last week he was arguably the best player on the ground, with 14 scything runs for 152 metres.
Hes most dangerous on the kick-return; he ranks second behind Billy Slater in the NRL with a total return of 863 metres at an average of 12.7 metres a time.
Campbell is also the top tackle-buster in the comp with 81.
Watch out Titans: Expect the Roosters to send plenty of attack down their right corridor, and also target that side of the field in the air.
The Titans left-side defence is appreciably weaker than their other flank, having conceded 24 of their 50 tries in that region compared to just 13 down their right side.
Also, the Titans are middle of the pack at conceding tries to kicks (15, compared to just 11 scored).
Where it will be won: Focus and application for the full 80 minutes.
Two simple mistakes cost the Titans dearly last week first Scott Davis turned over the ball when attacking close to the Manly line; the next set Michael Robertson scored for the Sea Eagles.
Then Luke ODwyer failed to tackle dummy-half David Williams on his line and the bearded giant raced 100 metres for a try.
Minus their key troops the Titans cant afford such lapses against the Roosters.
The History: Played 2, Roosters 1, Titans 1.
Similar scorelines in each of their 2007 clashes, with the Roosters getting bragging rights 24-18 at the SFS before the Titans hit back with a 22-18 win at Skilled Park.
Conclusion: We suspect this will be another valiant effort from the Titans, with hooker Nathan Friend again running himself into the ground.
Last week he recorded some of the best ever statistics for a player in a beaten side he made a staggering 110 touches, with 39 tackles, a tackle break and a try assist.
He remains the no.1 tackler in the NRL with 625 36 tackles ahead of the warriors Michael Luck.
Unfortunately thats the only category he looks like improving this week, with the Roosters big, mobile forwards and fleet-footed backs certain to give the Gold Coast a stiff work-out.
