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HANNAH PETERS / GETTY IMAGES
David Fusitu scored a try during the Warriors' victory over the Titans in March.
The Warriors have done a great job of ignoring face-to-face records this season and will have to do it for a different reason Sunday.
Winning 14 of their last 15 games, including the last seven on the Gold Coast, there is no other team with which the Warriors have been more successful than the Titans.
It's a staggering number, even though the Titans have spent almost as long in the finals as the Warriors since 2012 In 2016, the Warriors still won the two games they played.
The Warriors have so much to play and the 12th place Titans are out of the final.
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It's not that coach Stephen Kearney believes it will be a problem. "From our point of view, what has happened in the past means nothing if you do not show up on Sunday at two o'clock with the right attitude."
"It's a good team Footy who probably did not have much luck.
"I think the last five games have averaged 20 points for and 21 against"
"They have always been in the contest, they have real football about them."
The Titans are being rebuilt under first year coach Garth Brennan, but their lineup is much stronger than their 6-12 record.
They have a particularly strong squad. International Kiwis Kevin Proctor, the duo Queensland Jarrod Wallace and Jai Arrow and Ryan James, the teammate of New South Wales, if they manage to produce enough balls, the talented half-defenseman Ash Taylor is more than capable of making a show. Luke with a calf injury is also a big hit for the Warriors, who struggled in his absence at certain times of the season without his impact around the ruck. They also miss out on front-runners Tohu Harris (knee) and Adam Blair ( suspension].
Jazz Teva Ga replaced Luke in the starting game and should share the role of the half-man with Karl Lawton, who was brought to the bench.
On the plus side, the Auckland outfit enjoys the opportunity to return to Queensland for the second time in three weeks, with the temperature at the kickoff scheduled for 24 degrees.
They produced some of their best performances in dry and fast conditions, including the recent victory over the Broncos, which favors their expansive style
But staying patient in the attack was a major theme this week and halfback Shaun Johnson says it's important that they find the right balance with football.
"When we have good weather and a good dry footy obviously can promote the ball a bit more and play a little second phase footy," said Johnson. "I know the other teams do not like it when we are in the mood so I hope we will get there and that we will have the right first to run and then to play Warrior. "
Meanwhile, rookie Joseph Vuna He is ready to make the first start of his career in the NRL after Harris's return from a knee injury has been put on hold.
Vuna was called to the rear with Leivaha Pulu, who recently recovered after 14 weeks.
Peta Hiku and Mason Lino are the two players left on the long bench with Kearney to complete his roster one hour before the kickoff.
AT A GLANCE
The Gold Coast Titans against the NZ Warriors
Sunday 4:00 pm, Super Cbus Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans: Michael Gordon, Anthony Don, Konrad Hurrell, Brenko Lee, Phillip Sami, Alexander Brimson, Ashley Taylor, Jarrod Wallace, Nathan Peats, Ryan James (c), Kevin Proctor, K eegan Hipgrave, Jai Arrow. Exchange: Mitch Rein, Moise Fotuaika, Jack Stockwell, Will Matthews, Brendan Elliot, Kane Elgey
Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), David Fusitu, Gerard Beale, Solomone Kata , Ken Maumalo, Blake Green, Shaun Johnson, James Gavet, Tevaga Jazz, Agnatius Paasi, Isaiah Papali & # 39; i, Joseph Vuna, Simon Mannering. Exchange: Sam Lisone, Bunty Afoa, Karl Lawton, Leivaha Pulu, Peta Hiku, Mason Lino.
– Stuff
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