NSW MAY LOSE HAYNE FOR ORIGIN
THE loss of Jarryd Hayne has not stopped Gold Coast snatching a miracle 38-36 NRL win over ladder leaders Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium last night.
Hayne’s NSW State of Origin chances are in some doubt, the Titans’ centre breaking down with a knee injury in the 67th minute with the game in the balance.
When he was helped off the field, there were fears Hayne had re-aggravated a left-ankle injury that had sidelined him earlier this year for six weeks.
But a relieved Hayne emerged from the sheds after fulltime to celebrate centre Konrad Hurrell’s 78th-minute matchwinning try after being diagnosed with just nerve damage in the knee.
Gold Coast’s winning chances appeared shot when Hayne left the field as the Storm scored three tries in six minutes to lead 36-28 with 10 minutes left. The Titans were reduced to a one-man bench for the final 10 minutes with lock Ryan Simpkins (knee) – in his 50th NRL game – and winger Dan Sarginson (forearm) also sidelined.
But Gold Coast weren’t to be denied, capping a stunning comeback when standout winger Anthony Don batted back Kane Elgey’s kick for Hurrell to score at the death.
It was Gold Coast’s thirdstraight win and marked Melbourne’s first loss since 2009 at Suncorp Stadium.
Melbourne’s 36 points was also the equal highest score for a losing side in NRL history.
The Titans have won just four of 19 matches at Suncorp.
Gold Coast were due a feelgood story. The Titans’ horror injury-ravaged year took another nightmare twist last weekend when co-captain Kevin Proctor became embroiled in a cocaine scandal.
Melbourne looked to have overcome the loss of Jesse Bromwich – also caught in the scandal – Christian Welch (knee) and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hand) to lead 18-16 at halftime. Billy Slater capped a perfectly executed set piece to score in the 19th minute and level it at 6-6. Then came the highlight. Winding back the clock, veteran rake Cameron Smith darted out of dummy-half to combine with Slater and send Cooper Cronk over in the 23rd minute in another sublime backline move.
Cronk had his 16th double of his career when pivot Cameron Munster helped send him over in the 28th minute to make it 18-6. Gold Coast not only hit back, they took the lead 22-18 by the 45th minute in controversial style.
Titans teammates appeared to obstruct Melbourne defenders as hooker Nathan Peats dabbed through a grubber for Hurrell to score.