Team Titan
Junior
My only thoughts on the extended bench is he’s utilising Jets players vs seagulls as jets have a bye?
Round 7: TITANS vs RAIDERS (2025)
- Thread starter DIEHARD
- Start date
Mini GF
QLD Cup
I’d have dropped Francis Randell Joliffe
It also means that our second rowers are predominately used as hit up merchants instead of hole runners which is their strength.
I’m not sure if it is just the coaching. When Foz was at 7 last year he would overcall the forwards. With Tino back, JC/AJ tend to let the forwards run the show.
5 Year Contract
Rep Player
What a bench to match it with the Raiders mobile monster pack….
DIEHARD
Administrator
I heartedly welcome back Jojo
and Tino. Big ins. Prefer Sami at centre. Couple players hopefully on the cusp of future selections. Not the bench I'd have chosen but I can be patient.
and Tino. Big ins. Prefer Sami at centre. Couple players hopefully on the cusp of future selections. Not the bench I'd have chosen but I can be patient.
DIEHARD
Administrator
For the record....
www.titans.com.au
The Titans will welcome back Tino Fa'asuamaleaui from suspension in a big inclusion for their Easter Sunday showdown against the Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium.
In one of two changes made by coach Des Hasler, the captain will replace Brock Gray who will miss this weekend's clash due to a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle - coming straight back into the starting side with Chris Randall moving back to the bench.
It's been an incredible first month for Fa'asuamaleaui after missing all but the entirety of the 2024 season with an ACL injury; averaging 154 running metres - 58 of those post-contact - and 32 tackles across 59 minutes per game since his return in Round 2.
In other team news, Jojo Fifita will resume his place on the wing, pushing Phil Sami to the centres and Beau Fermor to the edge in a reshuffle following the flyer's unavailability the past fortnight due to a cork.
David Fifita has also earned the call-up to the starting side after his strong performance against the Dragons, with Klese Haas shifting to the pine alongside Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, who returns to the 17 via the bench to bolster the forward rotation.
Kick-off is at 2pm on Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast.
Round 7 team: Courageous captain returns for Raiders rumble
Round 7 team: Courageous captain returns for Raiders rumble
The Titans will welcome back Tino Fa'asuamaleaui from suspension in a big inclusion for their Easter Sunday showdown against the Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium.
www.titans.com.au
The Titans will welcome back Tino Fa'asuamaleaui from suspension in a big inclusion for their Easter Sunday showdown against the Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium.
In one of two changes made by coach Des Hasler, the captain will replace Brock Gray who will miss this weekend's clash due to a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle - coming straight back into the starting side with Chris Randall moving back to the bench.
It's been an incredible first month for Fa'asuamaleaui after missing all but the entirety of the 2024 season with an ACL injury; averaging 154 running metres - 58 of those post-contact - and 32 tackles across 59 minutes per game since his return in Round 2.
In other team news, Jojo Fifita will resume his place on the wing, pushing Phil Sami to the centres and Beau Fermor to the edge in a reshuffle following the flyer's unavailability the past fortnight due to a cork.
David Fifita has also earned the call-up to the starting side after his strong performance against the Dragons, with Klese Haas shifting to the pine alongside Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, who returns to the 17 via the bench to bolster the forward rotation.
Kick-off is at 2pm on Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast.
The Birdman
Rep Player
Hold on boys, we are about to get pumped!
Cowabunga
Star Player
JJs got to be close to dropped if not a switch for Pahulu this weekend imo. His minutes this year have been shocking, Hasn't played in our wins (hmmm) and he's giving away penalties in the same exact way being lazy and not getting his body low, I'm surprised he hasn't been suspended because imo his one against Kerr a fair bit worse then Tinos where JJ left his feet with forceful contact to the head and he did it again against Dragons, Just really lazy technique and they're costing us big time on top of him having no impact.
35m and a bunch of missed tackles isn't cutting it, I'll cut him a bit of slack around the team performance but I'm also suss on his pec which he's done 2/3 times now. We're getting Keenan level performances.
I know we don't have a ton of depth but the bench makes zero sense to me unless Des is just hoping that Tino can carry the team as always, Surely he doesn't think that bench can stand up? The rotations are as cooked as ever.
35m and a bunch of missed tackles isn't cutting it, I'll cut him a bit of slack around the team performance but I'm also suss on his pec which he's done 2/3 times now. We're getting Keenan level performances.
I know we don't have a ton of depth but the bench makes zero sense to me unless Des is just hoping that Tino can carry the team as always, Surely he doesn't think that bench can stand up? The rotations are as cooked as ever.
Titanic
Immortal
Our pack has fallen in love with the media's criminal promotion of being a competition leader. With the exception of Tino and the all too few glimpses from Difita the rest are mistake-ridden plodders who would struggle to make any other starting pack. Yes, I know we can build a case for Fermor, Mo and RCG etc but get fairdinkem no one is frightened of us on any level.
Menoitios
QLD Cup
I'm frightened of them. I'm scared shitless year after year that the weight of failed expectation is going to crush me. The Titans will be the end of me one day I swear!
One day I'll learn that when it comes to preseason marketing and getting the sucker punters hard earned...when it comes to the mighty Titans...hype is short for hyperbole.
Mini GF
QLD Cup
TITANS TILL I DIE!!!!!! (Unfortunately)
Titanic
Immortal
Yep, that's why we have multiple swords, there are too many of us to just fall on one.
They might be the reason you die. I have heart palpitations every game.
Cowabunga
Star Player
I care a lot but also just gotten to the point of what can you do and if the club wants to be this I'll just stop being interested in the NRL like I kinda am, I was watching every game and at this point I'm watching ours if something else isn't on and will catch up if it's good. If we were in Sydney we'd be in the media and copping the same shit as the Tigers and I think it's coming with Tino sooner then later and can't blame him for getting out.
Injuries have screwed us but there's also just the same stuff from a lot of the previous years that exude we're a loser club.
I still don't really know what culture our guys want to bring, care for or just compete for. We've basically all as fans gotten to the point where we expect to maybe look good for 1 and if we're really lucky 2 or 3 games at max then crash back to earth massively despite whoever the opponant. The club just spouts out the same shit with the same tactics and same lineups and it's really getting tiring as a fan.
Shit.... BKRsport has quit going to games and gone to another life.... That's how grim it might be, They cooked him hahahahah, He is a dork but still the biggest fan and called it quits. I'd be changing a lot of things but as fans we can't really control a thing and if the club wants to talk a big game but still sucks... At the end of the day we've won 5 or so games top 8 teams in about 5 years and two of them were this year with Knights and Rorters, For all the rebuilt talk which is a bit early, If we're shit again this year Des should be on the line especially since the group is going to be the same.
Injuries have screwed us but there's also just the same stuff from a lot of the previous years that exude we're a loser club.
I still don't really know what culture our guys want to bring, care for or just compete for. We've basically all as fans gotten to the point where we expect to maybe look good for 1 and if we're really lucky 2 or 3 games at max then crash back to earth massively despite whoever the opponant. The club just spouts out the same shit with the same tactics and same lineups and it's really getting tiring as a fan.
Shit.... BKRsport has quit going to games and gone to another life.... That's how grim it might be, They cooked him hahahahah, He is a dork but still the biggest fan and called it quits. I'd be changing a lot of things but as fans we can't really control a thing and if the club wants to talk a big game but still sucks... At the end of the day we've won 5 or so games top 8 teams in about 5 years and two of them were this year with Knights and Rorters, For all the rebuilt talk which is a bit early, If we're shit again this year Des should be on the line especially since the group is going to be the same.
DIEHARD
Administrator
I don't begrudge anyone wanting to tap out or take some time. (A soft attitude to it perhaps makes it easier to re-engage one day)
Following the Titans is a taxing exercise, emotionally and financially. And we have an exciting roster, we aren't a team of Gumbies. Injuries haven't been kind either.
Following the Titans is a taxing exercise, emotionally and financially. And we have an exciting roster, we aren't a team of Gumbies. Injuries haven't been kind either.
Cowabunga
Star Player
I'm also going to add.
I'm not seeing the Franchise needing to be dumped watching a 26 year old debutant who's been sitting in reserve grade still with no clue in reserve grade yet gets jerked off.... Watch them closer.... Franchise isn't off the ball like honestly... Morons are saying.
He's had a couple of defensive lapses over GAMES, Not a game like Sami just had 5 in one, All our wingers but games..... While he hasn't had the impact I'd hoped for he's still doing pretty well getting 2/3 defenders on him for a ptb. I'm good with Lofi coming in but anyone thinking our defence will somehow be better or anything is wild.... GO watch Lofi......... in his first 20 and go look at all your comments about them and now if you support.
If we're blaming Franchise for no ball suddenly going out to BK and it's all because Lofi isn't out there even though all the same opportunities are there and BK is barely getting carries., Even though it's happened every game and Lofi got 2 BK assist.... I'm kind of cooked with this.
People here whinge about Franchise who's our 3rd winger on min defending better then the vets.. While still doing what he needs to do on outage sets making the less errors then a Lofi... I mentioned it but go look at Lofis first 25 games and then whinge about Franchise...
I'm not seeing the Franchise needing to be dumped watching a 26 year old debutant who's been sitting in reserve grade still with no clue in reserve grade yet gets jerked off.... Watch them closer.... Franchise isn't off the ball like honestly... Morons are saying.
He's had a couple of defensive lapses over GAMES, Not a game like Sami just had 5 in one, All our wingers but games..... While he hasn't had the impact I'd hoped for he's still doing pretty well getting 2/3 defenders on him for a ptb. I'm good with Lofi coming in but anyone thinking our defence will somehow be better or anything is wild.... GO watch Lofi......... in his first 20 and go look at all your comments about them and now if you support.
If we're blaming Franchise for no ball suddenly going out to BK and it's all because Lofi isn't out there even though all the same opportunities are there and BK is barely getting carries., Even though it's happened every game and Lofi got 2 BK assist.... I'm kind of cooked with this.
People here whinge about Franchise who's our 3rd winger on min defending better then the vets.. While still doing what he needs to do on outage sets making the less errors then a Lofi... I mentioned it but go look at Lofis first 25 games and then whinge about Franchise...
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DIEHARD
Administrator
'Stand up and do your job': Back-to-back losses cut Titans deep
www.nrl.com
Back on home soil with their inspirational skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also back at the helm, the Titans are looking to halt their slide down the ladder against the marauding Raiders.
Hooker Sam Verrills said back-to-back heavy losses to the Dolphins and Dragons didn’t “reflect who we are as a team” and was hopeful the challenge of hosting the in-form Canberra would give them an opportunity to show home fans who they really were.
“It’s pretty disappointing… we played a game against the Dolphins at home and we didn't go too well and then going down (to Wollongong) last Friday night with a six-day turnaround, we wanted to play a lot better than that and that doesn't reflect who we are as a team,” Verrills said.
“I think we started pretty well, but the last six-seven minutes of that first half, we leaked in three tries… at half-time we're down 24-4 and we're sort of questioning ourselves and what we did wrong…
“Obviously, we have got a lot to work on… there was a lot of negative plays in that game and we know what to fix.
“At our best, we know how to play and I believe in full how good we are as a side and we know that.
“We have just got to believe in it and keep working at it.
“This weekend against the Raiders, they've had a really good start of the year and they're going to come out firing, so it's a good test for us and I can't wait to go.
“We need to show what we're capable of and we need to start fast and they're a team that plays right to the end and they love playing a live ball.
“We need to control their forwards and we've definitely got the team to do it.
“We need to start this week. It’s Easter Sunday, back at home, we're really looking forward to the challenge."
With Keano Kini, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Carter Gordon all sidelined, the Titans received some good news this week with Jojo Fifita set to return on the wing, despite being a late withdrawal before the Dragons game.
For Queensland Origin hopeful Beau Fermor, the return of more experienced backs to the line-up has allowed him to revert to his favoured back-row position after being forced to fill in at centre for the past two weeks.
“It was a tough game on the weekend against quality centre against Val Holmes, and I probably missed my assignment on a couple of things in the centres there, but I'm definitely looking forward to getting back to backrow,” Fermor said.
“It's a hard place to defend in the centres and I don't envy the boys that have to play out there week-in, week-out.
"In saying that, that's where I was picked to play and I needed to do my job better than what I did on the weekend, so I'm pretty disappointed in the way I did go on the weekend.
“I'm looking forward to getting back out there and righting those wrongs.”
However, with many of their players – including veteran Kieran Foran – still a few weeks away from their return to the field, Fermor knew he and his teammates may be called upon at any time to step up into unfamiliar positions.
“That's exactly right, there's a squad of 30 for a reason,” Fermor said.
“If you look at the teams that have won the premierships – well, Penrith – over the last few years, the next person up just comes in and does their job, so that's what we need.
“Injuries happen, they're a part of our game, we wish we could limit them and everything like that, but it's going to take a whole squad to go well and go far into the season and win a premiership hopefully.
"When it's your time to stand up, you need to stand up and do your job.”
'Stand up and do your job': Back-to-back losses cut Titans deep
Back on home soil with their inspirational skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also back at the helm, the Titans are looking to halt their slide down the ladder against the marauding Raiders.
www.nrl.com
Back on home soil with their inspirational skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also back at the helm, the Titans are looking to halt their slide down the ladder against the marauding Raiders.
Hooker Sam Verrills said back-to-back heavy losses to the Dolphins and Dragons didn’t “reflect who we are as a team” and was hopeful the challenge of hosting the in-form Canberra would give them an opportunity to show home fans who they really were.
“It’s pretty disappointing… we played a game against the Dolphins at home and we didn't go too well and then going down (to Wollongong) last Friday night with a six-day turnaround, we wanted to play a lot better than that and that doesn't reflect who we are as a team,” Verrills said.
“I think we started pretty well, but the last six-seven minutes of that first half, we leaked in three tries… at half-time we're down 24-4 and we're sort of questioning ourselves and what we did wrong…
“Obviously, we have got a lot to work on… there was a lot of negative plays in that game and we know what to fix.
“At our best, we know how to play and I believe in full how good we are as a side and we know that.
“We have just got to believe in it and keep working at it.
“This weekend against the Raiders, they've had a really good start of the year and they're going to come out firing, so it's a good test for us and I can't wait to go.
“We need to show what we're capable of and we need to start fast and they're a team that plays right to the end and they love playing a live ball.
“We need to control their forwards and we've definitely got the team to do it.
“We need to start this week. It’s Easter Sunday, back at home, we're really looking forward to the challenge."
With Keano Kini, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Carter Gordon all sidelined, the Titans received some good news this week with Jojo Fifita set to return on the wing, despite being a late withdrawal before the Dragons game.
For Queensland Origin hopeful Beau Fermor, the return of more experienced backs to the line-up has allowed him to revert to his favoured back-row position after being forced to fill in at centre for the past two weeks.
“It was a tough game on the weekend against quality centre against Val Holmes, and I probably missed my assignment on a couple of things in the centres there, but I'm definitely looking forward to getting back to backrow,” Fermor said.
“It's a hard place to defend in the centres and I don't envy the boys that have to play out there week-in, week-out.
"In saying that, that's where I was picked to play and I needed to do my job better than what I did on the weekend, so I'm pretty disappointed in the way I did go on the weekend.
“I'm looking forward to getting back out there and righting those wrongs.”
However, with many of their players – including veteran Kieran Foran – still a few weeks away from their return to the field, Fermor knew he and his teammates may be called upon at any time to step up into unfamiliar positions.
“That's exactly right, there's a squad of 30 for a reason,” Fermor said.
“If you look at the teams that have won the premierships – well, Penrith – over the last few years, the next person up just comes in and does their job, so that's what we need.
“Injuries happen, they're a part of our game, we wish we could limit them and everything like that, but it's going to take a whole squad to go well and go far into the season and win a premiership hopefully.
"When it's your time to stand up, you need to stand up and do your job.”
Mini GF
QLD Cup
He’s slower than evolution And he’s on the wing
Hail Sezer
Moderator
I think Cowa was moreso saying that relative to his likely cap hit and where he actually is in his career, he’s not completely diabolical
He shouldn’t be an nrl starter with a healthy squad but we do tend to do this thing on here and social media where 3rd/4th string bottom of the roster guys get obliterated for performing like 3rd/4th string bottom of the roster guys lol