A Titanic disappointment for Close
THEY don’t come any more loyal than Chris Close, but even the former Queensland Origin hero paid out on his Gold Coast Titans after their NRL shocker against the Wests Tigers last weekend.
The loss has raised early concerns about the Titans’ finals chances this season.
They face a stern test in Canberra this weekend against a lively Raiders side coming off an impressive 26-20 win over Newcastle.
To make things even tougher they have lost fiveeighth and goal kicker Aidan Sezer (quad), which has forced a forward reshuffle with Queensland Origin utility Ashley Harrison (pictured) switching into the No.6 jumper and Nate Myles dropping into the back-row.
The last time Close blew up about a side he supported was when NSW embarrassed Queensland 56-16 in the 2000 State of Origin series, describing the record loss as the blackest day in Queensland rugby league.
The Titans earned Close’s wrath with a feeble performance against the Tigers in sweltering conditions last weekend which the Origin original from 1980 described as disgraceful.
According to NRL stats, the Titans missed 40 tackles and completed just 16 of 34 sets, figures that would have made coach John Cartwright feel ill, let along the Titans’ fans among the 12,000 fans in the 40-degree-plus heat.
“As much as I want them to win, we just don’t have the right recipe at the moment.” said Close.