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Gold Coast captain Tyrone Roberts has lauded under-pressure coach Garth Brennan for burdening the public load for the Titans' NRL woes in 2019.
Gold Coast captain Tyrone Roberts has praised coach Garth Brennan for taking on the burden of the NRL club's poor start to the 2019 campaign.
Brennan's position has come under scrutiny after the Titans' board announced a mid-season review into the club's football department, to be headed up by rugby league legend Mal Meninga.
Despite halfback Ash Taylor being granted indefinite leave to deal with personal issues and reports recruit Tyrone Peachey wanted out of the club less than a year into his three-year contract, the Titans claimed a stirring win over Queensland rivals Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium last Sunday.
Bogey club the Warriors now lie in wait on Friday night ahead of a bye but Roberts says the players are out to repay Brennan for his faith and leadership with another victory.
"Garth's just been patient. He's taken on pretty much all the pressure that's been handed down from the board and the review," Roberts told AAP.
"He's just been keeping it the same. He's been calm. He hasn't put any stress on the players.
"That gives us a bit of confidence in believing in him ... it's the 17 that takes the field each week that has to do the job."
A win over the Warriors would be a major scalp for a club that has consistently struggled against the New Zealanders.
The Warriors have won 15 of the past 17 matches between the clubs including seven of the past eight at Cbus Super Stadium, where a large supporter base of expatriate New Zealanders almost makes it a home-away-from home for Stephen Kearney's men.
Lock Keegan Hipgrave is suspended while Kevin Proctor's fractured eye-socket means Bryce Cartwright and Peachey will come from the bench to start in the back-row while Shannon Boyd is elevated to the bench.
The Warriors have dropped Gerard Beale for Patrick Herbert in the centres while Jazz Tevaga replaces Chris Satae on the bench following last weekend's 32-10 loss to Melbourne.
A bout of gastroenteritis has also hampered preparations for the Warriors, with four players including halfback Blake Green and hookers Issac Luke and Karl Lawton skipping training on Tuesday.
KEY MATCH STATS
* The Warriors have won 15 of the past 17 matches against the Titans including six of the past seven on the Gold Coast.
* The Warriors' round 10 win over Penrith is their only win on the road this season.
* Adam Blair will make his 300th NRL appearance on Friday, joining Reuben Wiki (312) and Simon Mannering (301) as Kiwi internationals with 300 or more first game matches.
