Titans co-captain Kevin Proctor wants his team to adopt a military mindset to defence, believing their mentality towards working together is the reason for their dreadful defensive record.
Proctor is adamant the Titans are “not far off the mark” but they will get a genuine gauge of where they sit in the pecking order when they face unbeaten ladder leaders Penrith at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday to close out Magic Round.
Penrith’s defence is the envy of the NRL. They’ve conceded just 60 points in seven games while the Titans have let in 64 points in their past two games and 140 points in the past month alone.
A heartbreaking photo of a couple lying next to each other after a horrific motorcycle crash claimed their unborn baby has prompted an outpouring of grief and sadness - but the pair have revealed they won t let the tragedy destroy their love.
Kendra Smith and Corey Thompson lost their unborn baby after their Harley Davidson toppled over on January 12 when it was clipped by a truck on the Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington in New Zealand.
The impact on the asphalt crushed Corey s arm and left his leg so badly damaged it had to be amputated.
But despite the traumatic ordeal, the couple say they plan to get married on the anniversary of the crash after Corey proposed from his hospital bed.
Team news
Wests Tigers: With Tommy Talau out suspended, Moses Mbye has been named in the centres. Jacob Liddle is the new man on the interchange to cover for Mbye s elevation.
James Roberts (chest) will miss a few more weeks. Zac Cini enjoyed a fine debut on the wing and has retained his spot.
Tom Amone and Shawn Blore were omitted from the squad 24 hours before kick-off.
Winger David Nofoaluma has scored five tries in his past four games against the Titans.
Titans: Ash Taylor has been ruled out as he battles to return to full fitness after off-season hip surgery. Tanah Boyd will take his place in the starting side.
When you ve get a 22-point lead after 15 minutes against any team, you shouldn’t lose.
I know they are fairly inexperienced and that sort of thing can happen when you race to an early lead and you let your guard down and think well we’ve got this .
That is a mental breakdown. Good teams don’t do that. They always win from there. They put the pedal down and just go on with it.
The Titans have blown good leads against Brisbane and South Sydney in back-to-back weeks. They should have five wins to their name and be sitting one win outside the top four.
Round 9 Late Mail
Dragons v Bulldogs, Sunday 4.05pm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Dragons: Mathew Feagai will make his NRL debut in place of Cody Ramsey (rib) on the wing, while Junior Amone also makes his NRL debut from the bench.
Tyrell Fuimaono comes in at centre to repace Zac Lomax (dislocated thumb).
Ramsey and Adam Clune dropped out of the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off while Poasa Faamausili was the last man cut an hour before kick-off. Jackson Ford is 18th man.
Dragons fullback Matt Dufty has scored nine tries in his past eight games at Kogarah.
Bulldogs: Lachlan Lewis and Ofahiki Ogden were added to the bench an hour before kick-off with Matt Doorey reverting to 18th man.