Jeez Wayne, Knights outshone again
TITANS KNIGHTS 24 14
NEWCASTLE’S brave new world under Wayne Bennett hit a new low on Saturday as the lowly Gold Coast Titans sealed a comfortable NRL win at Hunter Stadium.
After a long chase to secure the services of the seven-time premiership-winning coach on a fiveyear deal worth AU$6 million, big things were expected from the Knights this season.
Billionaire owner Nathan Tinkler opened his chequebook to bring in the likes of Queensland and Australia fullback Darius Boyd in addition to former NSW stars Danny Buderus and Willie Mason.
But that investment has failed to improve things on the field as the Knights were outfought and outhought by a Gold Coast side who went into the game as the lowest scorers in the NRL.
The evening started in the best possible way for the hosts when NSW winger Akuila Uate, backing up from Wednesday’s State of Origin clash in Melbourne, reached over Kevin Gordon to put the ball across the line in the fifth minute.
John Cartwright’s side opened their account with their first attack of the game, when livewire hooker Matt Srama darted over after a decent break from William Zillman midway through the first period.
The visitors added their second four-pointer in the 22nd minute when David Mead finished off a flowing move.
Boyd, who scored twice for Queensland on Wednesday, is yet to open his account for the Knights, and his poor club form continued when he knocked-on just in front of his own goal area.
And from the resulting scrum, the Titans added their third try of the game when Nate Myles powered his way over. Scott Prince’s conversion opened up a 16-4 lead at halftime.
The Titans continued where they left off in the second stanza with Greg Bird stepping over for an excellent try.
The Knights gave their fans something to cheer with late tries from Tyrone Roberts and Alex Mckinnon, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a second straight Titans win.