The Roosters face the Titans on Sunday afternoon and have a huge opportunity to leapfrog the Panthers and take up second place on the NRL ladder. Following Penrith’s loss to the Raiders, a win will now see the Tricolours sit equal on 36 points with a considerably better for and against then the reigning premiers.
However, Trent Robinson’s men will have to do it without Connor Watson and Brandon Smith, who have both been sidelined for this clash. It remains unclear why Smith was ruled out 24 hours before kick off, while Watson has been stood down due to concussion protocols.
The Latest Injury Updates
The Roosters have been dealt a major blow for their Round 25 clash with the Titans, with one of their star men ruled out of the contest. In a big blow for Trent Robinson, hooker Brandon Smith has dropped out of his starting side 24 hours out from kick off. After initially being named on the bench, Zach Dockar-Clay, who has played in just two first grade games this season, has been parachuted into the run on side with Sandon Smith to begin on the bench. Roosters welcome back veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from suspension.
Titans' Final 17 Confirmed
The side to face the Gold Coast Titans at 2pm this Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium has been trimmed 24 hours ahead of kick-off. One change has been made to the starting line up, with Brandon Smith coming out of the side, replaced by Sandon Smith. Siua Wong and Robert Toia come out of the side, with Michael Jennings taking the 18th man position. The final teamlist will be released one hour before kick-off, at 1pm.
A Look Ahead to the Game
The Roosters have been dealt a major blow for their Round 25 clash with the Titans, with one of their star men ruled out of the contest. Meanwhile, Des Hasler has made a big call on AJ Brimson and after returning from a knee injury last week, Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has suffered an unfortunate setback. The final team is as follows:
Roosters
- James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Nat Butcher 14. Sandon Smith 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May 18. Michael Jennings
Titans
- Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 14. AJ Brimson 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Klese Haas 19. Keenan Palasia 18. Tanah Boyd
The Titans will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Dragons last week, while the Roosters will be looking to continue their winning ways. The game is sure to be a tight one, and it will be interesting to see how the Roosters cope without Smith and Watson.
A Look at the Titans' Performance
The Titans have been a surprise package this year, and they have a real chance to make the finals. They have a strong team with a good mix of youth and experience, and they have been playing some exciting rugby league. One of the Titans' favourite weekends in the calendar each year, the club is also excited to honour it's loyal Legion for the 10th instalment of Thank You Round, celebrating the Gold Coast community's strong support of the Titans in 2024.
How the Roosters Can Overcome Their Injuries
Despite the injuries, the Roosters still have a very strong team. They have a number of players who are capable of stepping up and filling the void left by Smith and Watson. The Roosters have a lot of depth in their squad, and they will be confident of getting the job done. They will need to play smart and execute their game plan well in order to get the win.
The Importance of this Game for the Roosters
This game is a huge opportunity for the Roosters to make a statement. They are currently in third place on the ladder, and a win would see them leapfrog the Panthers and take up second place. The Roosters will be looking to make a strong run towards the finals, and a win over the Titans would be a good start.
What's Next for the Roosters?
The Roosters will be hoping to bounce back from this setback and continue their push for the finals. They have a tough schedule ahead of them, but they have the talent and the experience to achieve great things. They are a team that is always capable of exceeding expectations, and they will be looking to do so again this year.
This game is sure to be a fascinating contest, and it will be interesting to see how both teams perform. The Roosters have a lot to prove, and they will be looking to make a statement. The Titans will be looking to cause an upset, and they will be looking to make a statement of their own. The final whistle will blow at 2 pm at Cbus Super Stadium, and the game will be televised live on Channel Nine and Fox Sports. Be sure to tune in and see who comes out on top.
