The Gold Coast Titans and Newcastle Knights are kicking off today’s Magic Round action, with the Titans battling to even get 17 players on the park.
AJ Brimson, Kieran Foran, Harley Smith-Shields and Phillip Sami are out from last week’s team, adding to the already-healthy list of injured Coasters, including captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, fullback Jayden Campbell and halfback Tanah Boyd.
As a result, the Titans are sporting hooker Chris Randall at five-eighth and 21-year-old Tom Weaver in the halves today, with 20-year-old Keano Kini at fullback, and Sam Verrills shifted from halfback to his traditional spot of hooker.
The small mercies for Gold Coast are the returns of Aaron Schoupp and Keenan Palasia.
For Newcastle Jacob Saifiti comes in for brother Daniel. Kai Pearce-Paul is starting in place of Tyson Frizell, who moves to the bench.
