Titans welcome back an old Friend

Hooker Nathan Friend is returning to former club Gold Coast Titans for next season.

Friend, who was a foundation player for the Titans, made 100 NRL appearances for the club in a four-year spell first time around.

He was the first player to clock up a century of games for Gold Coast, before moving to the Warriors in 2012.

The 34-year-old, who has agreed a one-year deal with the Titans, said he was looking forward to returning to the club and playing a leading role in better times ahead.

He added: "I have great memories from my five seasons with the Titans, including twice getting to the finals, and I'd love to be a part of getting there again. Hopefully my experience and determination can be of value and I can help the club move in the right direction."

Friend played in the 2006 grand final for Melbourne Storm, when they lost to the Broncos, and was a big part of the Titans making the finals for the first time in 2009.

Gold Coast coach Neil Henry said the veteran's experience and leadership would be invaluable to his club, particularly for young hookers Kierran Moseley and Karl Lawton.

Henry added he rated Friend as one of the most professional and dedicated players in the NRL.

Gold Coast are 15/4 to suffer most losses in the NRL season.

Meanwhile, Tuimoala Lolohea has been handed the task of replacing Shaun Johnson in the No.7 jersey for the Warriors when they take on Cronulla on Saturday.

The 20-year-old comes in after Johnson was ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken ankle.

The Auckland club need to bounce back from consecutive heavy defeats to Sydney Roosters and Manly.

Coach Andrew McFadden said Lolohea was the logical choice to come into the halves, despite having played just 20 games.

"Tui has been practicing in that position for a while and he has got a lot of experience in the lower grades there," said the coach. "We have earmarked him for a future half as well; he gets his chance now and I am sure he can handle it."

The Warriors are 87/100 to beat Cronulla, who are 19/20.