Gold Coast turn tide with Brimson brace
It wasn’t pretty, but Gold Coast claimed a relieving 30-20 win over last-placed Canterbury Bulldogs at home last night.
After four losses in their past five matches, the Titans weren’t exactly convincing but the victory, secured without suspended trio David Fifita, Herman Ese’ese and Tyrone Peachey and marquee half Ash Taylor, lifts Gold Coast to a 5-6 record after 11 games.
Defeat leaves Canterbury still searching for their second win in 2021.
The Titans made a fast start when Brian Kelly’s grubber found AJ Brimson for the Gold Coast fullback to opening the scoring.
Bulldogs backrower Chris Smith was placed on report for a crusher tackle on Phillip Sami and from the resulting penalty Gold Coast extended their lead when Tino Fa’asuamaleaui stepped through some weak defence to score his first try for the Titans.
The Dogs had a horror start to the second half with Sione Katoa placed on report for a crusher tackle on Fa’asuamaleaui before Dylan Napa was sinbinned for a high shot.
The Titans prop then crashed over from the next set to put the hosts 14 points ahead.
Canterbury refused to go away and Kevin Proctor was placed on report for high contact before Beau Fermor was sent to
the sin bin for a high shot on Jake Averillo, with Nick Meaney scoring from the next get to put the Bulldogs back in the game.
The Bulldogs got within four points when Englishman Luke Thompson dived over but Brimson, who signed a five-year extension this week, completed his double after a solid burst by impressive front-rower Moeaki Fotuaika.
■ Key second-half tries to Brisbane’s John Asiata, Keenan Palasia and David Mead sparked the Broncos to a 34-16 upset over Sydney Roosters last night.
Broncos wing Mead sealed a hat-trick with his late try.
It was only the Broncos’ third win as they sit second-last on the ladder, but the sixth-placed Roosters were stunned in a game littered with high shots.
with NZ Rugby confirming earlier this month that it will launch a new semi-professional competition in early 2022, likely in conjunction with the existing men’s Super Rugby franchises.
Maliepo started in the No 10 jersey for the Blues women when they took on the Chiefs at Eden Park earlier this month and scored the opening try in the historic exhibition match, laying down a grubber under penalty advantage then collecting it herself, and the way she talks about that match, it’s clear she’s hungry for more.
‘‘That was something different,’’ she said.
‘‘That was another level, just because it was the best female players coming in from different regions.
‘‘It was kind of like Black Ferns against Black Ferns.’’