Titans out of luck as Sea Eagles hold on for victory
IT rode its luck with a couple of controversial calls last week, so it was somewhat ironic a desperate captain’s challenge cruelled Gold Coast’s comeback bid as the Titans went down 18-26 to the Sea Eagles.
The Sea Eagles had jumped out to a 24-4 lead when veteran Kieran Foran turned back the clock with a scything solo try closing on halftime, but the break in play seemingly woke the visitors from their slumber.
They hit back 10 minutes into the second half when former Sea Eagle Brian Kelly crossed in the left corner and were then in with a sniff when David Fifita entered beast mode to storm his way through on the right edge.
When Tino Fa’asuamaleaui broke through the middle to score, the Titans were within six points with 14 minutes to go and could have been level had it not been for a few missed conversions by Toby Sexton.
But they could not muster another meaningful attack after that, with a penalty from close range ultimately ending the game when the bunker overruled a knock-on call to gift the Sea Eagles two points and the two competition points.
Manly was without the injured Tom Trbojevic.
Reuben Garrick is no Trbojevic but he had one of his best games at the back in both attack and defence.
Sea Eagles’ Haumole Olakau’atu must have listened to Miley Cyrus before the game because he came in like a wrecking ball.
The barnstorming back-rower terrorised the Titans with two first-half tries and could have easily had a couple more.
He has now scored in threestraight games and has become one of Daly Cherry-Evans’ most reliable players on the right edge.
Olakau’atu must be on Tonga’s radar for this year’s World Cup after he finished the game with 121m and a stack of tackle busts before cramp ended his day.
The Titans have now won only two of their first six games and looked way off the pace in the first 40 minutes.