Warriors v Titans: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returns for round 21 NRL clash
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returns from a knee injury to face the Titans. Photo / Photosport
The Warriors welcome back fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for Saturday’s crucial round 21 NRL clash against the Gold Coast Titans in Auckland.
The 29-year-old missed the Warriors’ past two games with a knee injury but returns to take his place in the No 1 jersey, with Taine Tuaupiki dropping to the extended bench.
It’s the only change to the side that beat the Newcastle Knights 20-15 in their last outing.
Meanwhile, forward Marata Niukore will mark his 150th NRL career appearance in the match.
The Warriors currently sit fourth on the NRL ladder, with a 12-5 record.
Winning is crucial for the Warriors as they look to maintain their four-point buffer over the fifth-placed Broncos.
For the Titans, they will be without captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui with a knee injury, while David Fifita has been overlooked, along with winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who scored four tries when the teams last met in a 66-6 win to the Gold Coast side.
The Titans have won the past two meetings between the sides in Auckland when current Warriors halfback Tanah Boyd was a match winner both times.
The Titans are currently anchored to the bottom of the NRL standings and have lost their past four matches.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Kurt Capewell, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange (from): 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 18. Taine Tuaupiki, 20. Sam Healey, 21. Bunty Afoa, 22. Ali Leiataua, 23. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.