Warriors wary as Rogers returns

The return of dual international Mat Rogers to the Gold Coast team has increased the threat of the Titans for their clash with the Warriors on Saturday night.

Five-eighth Rogers, an Australian rugby and league rep, hasn't played for two weeks due to a rib cartilage injury but was named in the side to play the Warriors at Skilled Park on Saturday.

Roger's return sees Preston Campbell move out to fullback giving the Titans plenty of attacking options throughout their talented backline.

But Rogers' return is offset by the continued absence of forwards Luke Bailey and Mark Minichiello.

Bailey has been ruled out for at least another fortnight after fresh scans on his broken arm while Minichiello is still battling ankle ligament damage from last month.

Titans coach John Cartwright has put former Newcastle player Matt White and Michael Henderson into the front row against the Warriors.

The Titans will have no State of Origin hangover and are keen to push on as they lie third at the halfway stage of the season.

But they are wary of a Warriors side that haven't fulfilled their potential to be 11^th at this stage but just one point off the playoffs pace.

The Warriors thumped the Titans 34-12 in a pre-season trial in Lismore and Rogers believed the New Zealanders were starting to hit their straps as they showed in their last outing against the Knights.

"They're big, strong and fast so it's going to be a tough game," Rogers said.

"They've started to find a bit of form, beating Newcastle last game, so I expect they'll run out with a similar side trying to out muscle us."

GOLD COAST: Preston Campbell, Kevin Gordon, Esi Tonga, Brett Delaney, Chris Walker, Mat Rogers, Scott Prince (c), Matthew White, Nathan Friend, Michael Henderson, Anthony Laffranchi, Brad Meyers, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Aaron Cannings, Will Matthews, Luke O'Dwyer, William Zillman, Josh Graham, Daniel Conn (two to be omitted).

- © Fairfax NZ News