Gold Coast wary of Isaac Luke and star-studded Warriors ahead of crucial Friday clash

Garth Brennan knows the Warriors will be dangerous on Friday night. But it’s not Dally M medallist Roger Tuivasa-Sheck that has the Titans worried.

Jarrod Wallace of the Titans is tackled during the Round 4 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, April 5, 2019. (AAP Image/David Rowland) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Wayne Bennett isn’t the only master of mind games with Garth Brennan singing NZ Warriors’ praises on the eve of a must-win clash with his improving Titans.

The Auckland outfit have struggled for consistency and are riding a three-game losing streak since upsetting the Dragons in Magic Round.

But the Gold Coast coach won’t be taking them lightly with Brennan sharing his admiration for a side whom he rates as one of the competition’s best.

Jarrod Wallace gets hammered by the New Zealand Warriors during Gold Coast’s Round 4 loss at Mt Smart Stadium. Picture: AAP Image/David Rowland

“You go through their team and you’ve got the Dally M player of the year at fullback in Roger (Tuivasa-Sheck) … two big wingers who get them on the front foot and they’ve got a really good halves combination now (Blake Green and Kodi Nikorima),” Brennan said.

“Their backline is very strong and their pack is as big and strong as any team in the competition, you’ve got some Kiwi internationals in Adam Blair and Tohu Harris and some real quality players in that team.”

Issac Luke (right) and Jazz Tevanga perform the Haka after teammate Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was announced as the winner of the 2018 Dally M Award. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

The Titans’ concern is warranted after Tuivasa-Sheck inspired the Warriors to a 26-10 win back in Round 4 but Brennan believes stopping Kiwi teammate Issac Luke will be the key this time around.

“He’s someone I’ve admired as a coach for some time,” Brennan said of the 37-Test hooker.

“He’s competitive, he’s aggressive, he’s tenacious and all the things you want in a real good rugby league player.”

Luke will go head to head with Titans duo Nathan Peats and Mitch Rein, who are expected to share the hooking role on Friday night.