Tackling the offload
Titans know exactly what they must do to contain Warriors
@obrien_GCB
“We just need to make sure we wrap up the ball this weekend and really work on that because if they start doing that and you have to keep tackling again and making 10 tackles in a set instead of six, it’s going to be a long night again.”
James said that sort of “adlib football” made the Warriors’ key players – such as 21Test Kiwi half Shaun Johnson – a dangerous proposition.
The Gold Coast last defeated the Warriors in April 2015 and in the four clashes between the sides since then, Johnson has been at his best with the ball in hand.
In those four outings, Johnson has accumulated four tries and eight try assists to lead the Warriors to victory on each occasion.
James said his side’s 20-8 loss to the Cowboys was proof of the effect limited possession can have as the Titans were unable to hold onto their halftime lead.
“It’s hard to be in the game when they have got so much possession,” he said.
“Still managed to be up at halftime but you come into the sheds a bit down on fatigue and you come out and you’re not as fresh as them and in the end they ended up having more ball and that ended up being the game.”
The Titans skipper backed front-row partner Jarrod Wallace for a big showing on Saturday to boost his chances of a State of Origin debut on June 21.
“I wouldn’t put my house on it but I dare say he will probably be there Round 2,” James said.
“He came back (from the Maroons’ Origin camp) with a little bit more confidence and you can definitely see that; 18th man really probably hit home.
“He knows how close he is now and I think with a strong performance over the next week he should probably be up there in selections.”