Gold Coast Titans v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Like a broken record, the Gold Coast Titans have collapsed in a second half yet again as the Rabbitohs ran in 28 second half points to score a big 46-28 victory on the Gold Coast.
The Titans started the game with a bang opening up an early 12-0 lead when it was Iszac Fa’asumaleaui who opened the scoring after halfback Tanah Boyd drew the defence outwards and the big man was able to get over. The second try for the Titans came just four minutes later when a penalty against Souths gave the Titans good field position and Chris Randall took advantage from dummy half . Tanah Boyd’s conversion from in front gave the home-side an important lead.
Hitting back with two tries of their own in quick succession with Keaon Kolomatangi getting his way over the line with a barging run. The Rabbitohs second try was through some soft Titans defence as Souths went to their left and Alex Johnston got over. Blake Taaffe hit one of the two conversions to keep the score at 12-10.
Off the back of another penalty against the Rabbitohs for illegal kick pressure, the Gold Coast were back on the attack and it was Alofiana Khan-Pereira that got over out wide.
The high scoring nature of the first half continued as Alex Johnston got over for his second in a situation where all he had to do was catch and put the ball down after Isaiah Tass got the ball free to an unmarked AJ.
An error on the stroke of half time put the Titans in good field position and they took advantage when Jojo Fifita scored out wide. Despite the miss from Tanah Boyd, the Titans took a 22-18 lead into the half-time break.
Second halves have been the Achilles heel for the Titans and yet again they ruptured badly looking like a completely different side to the one in the first half. Errors and soft defence riddled their performance and it was off the back of an odd penalty that got the Rabbitohs in position for their first try of the second half.
Campbell Graham chased through a Blake Taaffe kick that saw the Titans outside defence absolutely struggling again to mark up and the big centre was the first to the ball. Things continued to get worse for the Titans as Alex Johnston completed his hat-trick within 50 minutes as a Gold Coast error put themselves under pressure and despite questions about the grounding, it was another Souths try.
Things kept flowing for the Rabbitohs as Cody Walker was next to go through for a deserved try after some excellent work from Damien Cook put the Souths five-eighth over. A penalty goal for Blake Taaffe extended the lead.
Two more late tries put the nail in the coffin as Richie Kennar went over out wide and then Hame Sele went through some very soft defence. A late consolation try for the Titans captain Tino Fa’asumaleaui put his name on the scoreboard alongside his brother.
Next weekend, the Titans have a Thursday night contest against the Wests Tigers meanwhile Souths have a Saturday afternoon battle against the Dragons at Kogarah.
Gold Coast Titans 28 – South Sydney Rabbitohs 46
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh
Crowd: 0
Halftime Score: Gold Coast Titans 22 South Sydney Rabbitohs 16
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points – Cody Walker
2 points – Keaon Koloamatangi
1 points – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
GOLD COAST TITANS (28)
Tries: Iszac Fa’asumaleaui, Chris Randall, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Jojo Fifita, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Tanah Boyd (4/5)
Penalty Goals:
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (46)
Tries: Keaon Koloamatangi, Alex Johnston (3), Campbell Graham, Cody Walker, Richard Kennar, Hame Sele
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Blake Taaffe (6/8)
Penalty Goals: Blake Taaffe (1/1)