Penrith travelling north to face Gold Coast

[Jin Wah]

Good afternoon and welcome to Wide World of Sports' coverage of round eight action. We've got two matches tonight, with Souths to face Manly live and free on Nine from 7:30pm (AEST).

First up it's defending premiers Penrith travelling north to face Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium, as the Panthers look to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

History favours the visitors, who have won seven of their last eight matches against the Titans.

Many eyes will be on Gold Coast's David Fifita, who has been named in the back-row for tonight's match. He was switched to centre for last week's clash with North Queensland, turning in a performance that would charitably be described as poor, especially in defence, as the Cowboys thrashed the Titans.

Speaking on the Wide World of Sports show Freddy and the Eighth, Brad Fittler said playing the 22-year-old out wide wasn't the answer.

"I'd be more inclined to do what the Cowboys did with Jason Taumalolo, I'd move him closer," Fittler said.

"What he can do is adapt. Jason Taumalolo never used to last 80 minutes, but he learned to end up playing 60 and adapt to the middle.

"I just feel David is coming up with one great try every 1-2 weeks. Amazing. Some of the things he can do, no-one else can do.

"But it's all that stuff in between those great tries. You could have a game plan around the back of his runs.

"He's still going to cause carnage. I'd move him in, not out."

Desperate Titans coach Justin Holbrook has shaken up his side ahead of Friday’s clash with the undefeated Panthers.

David Fifita was named in the second row after playing in the centres last week, however Holbrook moved him to the bench one hour before kick-off, with veteran Kevin Proctor moving into the run-on side.

“It happened last year, David Fifita started the season off the bench and everyone said ‘you can’t have your million-dollar man off the bench, you’ve got to start him’,” Greg Alexander said.

“But it just hasn’t worked this year. They threw him out to the centres last week and that didn’t work, it just took him another spot further away from the ball.

“And now (Holbrook) has reacted by moving him back to the bench and hoping that gets the best out of him. I hope it does, we want to see the best of David Fifita.

“Obviously Justin Holbrook is searching for the answers on David Fifita.”

Meanwhile, AJ Brimson moves to fullback — where he played all of his career up until this season — and Will Smith will partner Toby Sexton in the halves with Tanah Boyd coming onto the bench.

Phillip Sami is out due to a knee injury, opening the door for Corey Thompson to play his third game of the season.

In a stark contrast, the Panthers have named the same 17 that downed the Raiders last week.

The Titans are coming off three straight losses — most recently a 30-4 thrashing from the Cowboys — and now face their biggest challenge yet.

The Panthers are flying high and show now signs of stopping.

TEAMS

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 5. Greg Marzhew 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 23. Corey Thompson 6. Will Smith 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 17. Kevin Proctor 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Sam Lisone 16. Herman Ese’ese. Replacement player: 18. Jamayne Isaako

Titans vs Panthers live nrl Gold Coast Titans vs Penrith Panthers live Panthers vs Titans live nrl today Titans vs Panthers online nrl game Penrith Panthers vs Gold Coast Titans nrl live Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Taylan May 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Matt Eisenhuth 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon. Replacement player: 19. Chris Smith