NRL Round 14 Preview and Prediction - Gold Coast Titans v New Zealand Warriors @ CBUS Super Stadium

Gold Coast Titans v New Zealand Warriors @ CBUS Super Stadium
 
Preview - Both the Titans and Warriors will be desperate for a win when they lock horns at CBUS Super Stadium on Saturday afternoon on the Gold Coast. The Titans have slumped back to 12th spot after back-to-back defeats to the Eels and Cowboys have left them two games outside the Top 8 and with just 4 wins from their opening 12 games this season. The Warriors’ season is also teetering after they slumped to another disappointing road defeat 32-24 in a helter skelter game against the Eels. The Warriors have yet to win outside New Zealand this year, and new Head Coach Stephen Kearney is yet to find the key to making this team a more consistent and tougher outfit.
 
History - The Titans have lost 6 straight to the Warriors on the Gold Coas, and 11 of the past 12 overall. It's a staggering record considering the Titans won 6 on the trot between the Clubs from 2008 to 2010. The Warriors now hold a commanding overall advantage with 14 wins to the Titans 7. Earlier this season at Mount Smart Stadium, the Warriors came from 22-10 down to overrun the Titans in the second half 26-22.
 
Gold Coast Titans Scouting Report - The Titans welcome back Origin hooker Nathan Peats after he was injured in last week’s loss against the Cowboys. They also have decided to move Jarryd Hayne back to fullback in a bid to spark their attack, which has managed just 18 points in the last 2 rounds combined. Hayne's move to fullback sees Dale Copley go to the centres and Will Zillman promoted to the starting side on the wing. 
 
New Zealand Warriors’ Scouting Report - The Warriors will be missing the brute force of James Gavet up front who has succumbed to a hamstring injury. However, they do welcome back Origin forward Jacob Lillyman who goes straight into the starting side with Bunty Afoa on the bench. Isaac Luke had his best game of the season last week against the Eels back on his old stomping ground of ANZ Stadium, running the ball powerfully and making a number of incisions into the Eels’ defence. 
 
Verdict - Gold Coast by 1-6 in a high scoring game

This is the one road game generally each year where I go in confident in tipping the Warriors. They generally love playing the Titans and have an outstanding record on the Gold Coast where there are plenty of Kiwis in the stands supporting them. However, based on their form this season, I think they are so loose I just can't tip them here despite having won their last 6 on the Gold Coast. This is a really desperate game for both Clubs with the loser at long odds to get back into the hunt for the finals, and I just think the Titans are more likely to put in a committed 80-minute performance. I think this match has the potential to be very high scoring with plenty of thrills and spills just like the Warriors’ last game against the Eels. I think both sides will score 20+ in this game as they did earlier in the season; however I fancy the Titans to scramble over the line at home for their 5th win of the season.