TWL Rd 22 Preview: Crunch time as Warriors aim to halt form slide against improving Titans
Ten spots separate the teams on the NRL ladder...but this clash has most Warriors fans more than a little nervy after a confidence-sapping fortnight.
WARRIORS V GOLD COAST TITANS – 5PM (NZT)/7PM (AEST) SATURDAY, JULY 31 @ CBUS SUPER STADIUM, GOLD COAST
The Storylines
The NRL premiership landscape looks decidedly different than it did this time last week — all courtesy of a punishing 18-6 loss to Canterbury.
Suddenly, some of the slight form concerns we’ve been trying to push deep into our subconscious became impossible to ignore; the Warriors dropped out of the top two for the first time in more than three months; and the nagging flashbacks of too many late-season fadeouts started to materialise again.
All from a singular, three-tries-to-one loss.
So maybe we’re just a bit too reactive — and the Warriors are only a win away from making us feel bullish about our title prospects again. But there’s no question a loss to 13th-placed Gold Coast will make us feel like the sky is falling on our 2026 campaign.
And despite the opposition fanbase almost certainly packing out their stadium, the Titans are showing no signs of being content to roll over and allow the Warriors to play their way back into form.
They are coming off consecutive high-scoring wins over Manly (38-32) and St George Illawarra, with Josh Hannay’s methods apparently started to bed in and bear results.
There’s also the horrific memory of a 66-6 obliteration at this very ground just two years ago, when the Warriors were only a win outside the Top 8 and coming off three straight wins and the Titans were running last. Or the jarring déjà vu or losing to the Des Hasler’s last-placed outfit at home in Round 21 last year when we were fourth — a defeat that heralded a 2-5 finish to the regular season and saw the Warriors slip to sixth.
Forward dominance — which they didn’t get at all last week — is the obvious key for the Warriors. They are 12-0 when they make more run metres than the opposition; 0-6 when they don’t. But certain individuals must lift, with Adam Pompey, Te Maire Martin, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Jacob Laban on mild to moderate form slides for the past couple of weeks (and in some cases longer).
It’s a crossroads game, without a doubt…
Ins and Outs
AJ Brimson and Kurt Morrin return for the Titans — at centre and in the No.14, respectively — with Jaylan de Groot and Siale Faeamani making way.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returns to the No.1 jersey with Taine Tuaupiki out injured in the only change to the Warriors’ 17 from last week. Luke Metcalf and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava are on the six-man bench at this stage, while Rocco Berry is a notable reserves inclusion.
The History
Overall record: Played 37 – Warriors won 22, Gold Coast Titans won 15; Warriors scored 849 points, Gold Coast Titans scored 760 points.
Biggest wins: Gold Coast Titans – 66-6 at Cbus Super Stadium, 2024; Warriors – 42-0 at Mount Smart Stadium, 2014.
Longest winning streaks: Warriors – 8 matches (2011-14); Gold Coast Titans – 6 matches (2008-10).
Finals: Played 1 – Gold Coast Titans won 1.
Most appearances: Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 22; Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 18; Ben Matulino (Warriors) – 18; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 18; Jacob Lillyman (Warriors) – 17; Nathan Friend (Warriors & Gold Coast Titans) – 16; Anthony Don (Gold Coast Titans) – 15; Mark Minichiello (Gold Coast Titans) – 15.
Most tries: Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 13; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 11; Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors) – 9; Anthony Don (Gold Coast Titans) – 8; David Fusitu’a (Warriors) – 8; Konrad Hurrell (Warriors & Gold Coast Titans) – 8; Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Warriors & Gold Coast Titans) – 7; David Mead (Gold Coast Titans) – 7.
Most points: Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 132; Scott Prince (Gold Coast Titans) – 66; Jayden Campbell (Gold Coast Titans) – 58; Tanah Boyd (Warriors & Gold Coast Titans) – 50; James Maloney (Warriors) – 46.
THE RIVALRY: WARRIORS V TITANS
Gold Coast Titans’ early and recent periods of dominance against the Warriors bookended a decade where the Auckland-based held control of the rivalry. The large Kiwi expat population in southeast Queensland has ensured big crowds whenever the Warriors venture to the Gold Coast, but it didn’t prevent the Titans from inflicting the Warriors’ biggest-ever defeat there in 2024.
The Stats
The Titans have won six of their last nine against the Warriors.
The Titans have won four of the last six between the clubs at Cbus Super Super Stadium, though the Warriors have won two of the last three — including a 32-18 victory last season.
The Warriors are 7-7 in Queensland under Andrew Webster and have lost three of their last four in Australia, after starting the 2026 season 5-1 across the Tasman.
Titans backs Keano Kini, Phil Sami, Jojo Fifita, AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell have all scored doubles against the Warriors since 2021.
Beau Fermor has crossed for five tries in nine games against the Warriors.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira hasn’t gone try-less in consecutive games this season, while he boasts seven tries in four Titans-Warriors encounters and has scored 26 tries in 25 NRL games at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Titans have scored 18-plus points in their last nine games against the Warriors; the Warriors have been kept to six or less twice during that time.
5 Key Match-ups
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad vs Keano Kini: An intriguing duel between the New Zealand Test incumbent and the veteran he shunted to centre. CNK starts at fullback for the first time since being brought in against the Titans in Round 7 as a late inclusion — which proceeded an eight-week break from the top side. He was one of the Warriors’ best after entering the fray against the Bulldogs, but given his attacking limitations he needs to be at his industrious, safe best. Kini is electric, racking up 17 line-breaks this season, but the diminutive Kiwi can be targetted due to his size.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira vs Dean Ieremia: AKP scorched in for a double in a satisfying first outing against his former club in Round 7, though he had a few sketchy moments on defence. With 12 tries in 11 games, Khan Pereira shapes as a key figure in his maiden visit to the ground he scored 26 tries in 25 games in for the Titans. Former Storm journeyman Ieremia has taken more than five years to accumulate his tally of 26 NRL appearances, but he lines up on the flank for the Titans for the fourth straight week.
Te Maire Martin vs Zane Harrison: TMM has had a couple of subpar games after re-signing earlier this month and needs to step up as a genuine No.7 as the calls for Luke Metcalf’s return grow louder. The 20-year-old Harrison has been one of the season’s best discoveries, helping engineer four wins in his first 10 NRL games — including a match-winning field goal against Penrith — and producing six try assists.
Wayde Egan vs Oliver Pascoe: There’s still a fair bit of speculation Egan may be ruled out after playing severely hampered for more of the second half against the Bulldogs — and the Warriors need a fully-fit dummy-half orchestrator here. An NRL newcomer this year, 26-year-old Pascoe has been a great find and has scored four tries and racked up six line-break assists in 15 appearances.
James Fisher-Harris vs Tino Fa’asuamaleaui: The rival enforcers and skippers will look to set the tone for their sides. JFH has been one of the NRL’s form props, while big Tino has lifted post-Origin to rack up his two highest run-metre tallies (187 and 198) as the Titans have racked up consecutive wins in the past fortnight.
Last Time They Met
The Warriors’ 28-20, game-of-two-halves victory over Gold Coast Titans ultimately had an ‘a win’s a win’ feel about it, but a dominant display in the opening 40 minutes was more than enough for Andrew Webster’s side to hang their hat on as they conquered a bogey (albeit a more minor one this time) for the second straight Saturday.
The hosts led 22-0 at halftime, benefitting from a stiff breeze, aggressive defence and slick backline play that saw ex-Titan Alofiana Khan-Pereira blaze over for a double and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak score a beauty in the other corner.
Erin Clark’s wrap-around try — combining with James Fisher-Harris — was the Warriors only addition to the scoreboard. The Titans, with the wind at their backs this time, jagged four second-half tries without ever really threatening to make of a game of it again.
Why the Wahs will win: The Warriors are clearly the better team with a stronger pack and boast far more quality on the bench, while after the past fortnight there should be zero complacency. A sold-out away crowd mostly on their side doesn’t hurt, either.
Why the Wahs will lose: You cannot help but feel like the last two weeks was perhaps a harbinger of another limp finish to the regular season…and the Titans are playing good footy with a host of unknowns emerging as quality first-graders.
The Punt: Head to head — Warriors $1.52, Titans $2.55; Points Start — Warriors +4.5; Total Points Over/Under — 49.5
Best Anytime Tryscorer Options — Alofiana Khan-Pereira ($1.60), Phil Sami ($2.15), Jojo Fifita ($2.70), Jayden Campbell ($2.90), Te Maire Martin ($3.45), Leka Halasima ($4.10); Erin Clark ($6.25)
The Verdict: The Warriors know how important this game is in the context of their season — they were (still are?) widely regarded as premiership threats only a week ago so and can prove last week’s loss was a mere blip. A strong start is paramount, but if they get it that should go some way towards the visitors reminding the Titans why they are where they are on the ladder. Warriors by 10