The Gold Coast Titans bounced back in front of their home crowd to record an important 28-12 win against Wests Tigers to launch Round 15, but captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui faces a nervous wait after being placed on report for contact on Tigers skipper Api Koroisau.
Koroisau suffered a broken jaw as he attempted to make a tackle on Fa'asuamaleaui with the incident potentially having ramifications for both State of Origin teams.
Koroisau leaves the field
The match itself - while entertaining - did have a number of errors, with the Tigers especially culpable with 14 errors and three penalties conceded.
However, Titans coach Justin Holbrook would have been pleased to see his side go on with the job after leading 16-6 at halftime, with fullback AJ Brimson marking a strong return from a hamstring injury by scoring the first try of the match.
The Tigers hit back after enjoying their best run of possession of the match with back-to-back sets at the line, with a hard-charging David Klemmer proving to big and strong for the Titans defending on their tryline.
Klemmer crashes over
Tanah Boyd, who stood up to take on more responsibility and take pressure off halves partner Jayden Campbell who is still easing into the role with Kieran Foran sidelined, was involved in the Gold Coast's next four-pointer, helping set up backrower Klese Haas for his first NRL try.
Campbell scored the last try of the first half in an effort that showcased his speed, diving onto a deft Brimson kick into the in-goal, swooping in to touch the ball down to help extend his side's lead as they entered the break.
In the second half, the Titans were able to overcome a fatigued Tigers side with Fa'asuamaleaui and 100-gamer Phil Sami crossing to seal the win.
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Match Snapshot
- The big news from the match which could have huge ramifications for Origin II was a broken jaw suffered by Blues hooker Api Koroisau. The Tigers rake was attempting to make a tackle Tino Fa'asuamaleaui at the time, with the Gold Coast and Maroons forward placed on report following the incident. It will be a nervous wait for Fa'asuamaleaui who was recently reprimanded for similar contact on Reed Mahoney.
- The Tigers were dealt a tough hand with injury in the match, with halfback Luke Brooks also unable to finish the game, coming off mid-way through the second half with a hamstring injury.
- It was a successful return to the field for Gold Coast Titans fullback AJ Brimson who threw himself wholeheartedly into the match, scoring a try and making 72 run metres. He also produce a line break, six tackle breaks and two try assists to be named player of the match.
Brimson is back
- Titans forward Moeaki Fotuaika did his chances of an Origin recall no harm with yet another strong performance. As well as running for 114 metres, the prop also made 34 tackles, missing only two.
- For the Tigers, England international John Bateman was a strong performer with 56 tackles, while fullback Jahream Bula ran for 226 metres and scored an impressive individual try.
- In his 100th NRL game, Gold Coast winger Phil Sami celebrated with a try and made a game-high 280 run metres.
- The Titans have now won their past five games against Wests Tigers and 10 of the past 12.
- Wests Tigers have won only two of their past 10 games played in Queensland.
Play of the Game
In his 100th NRL game, Phil Sami's Gold Coast Titans teammates did all they could ensure it was a special game, setting him up to score a try. Jayden Campbell stole an intercept, running almost the length of the field before Tigers fullback Jahream Bula brought him down 15 metres out from the line. In the next move, AJ Brimson got the ball, before firing a nice cut-out pass for his mate Sami to dive over and score.
Sami scores in his milestone game
What they Said
Titans: Round 15
"It's exactly what we needed and really happy with the win tonight. (There was no let-off in the second half), we did what we had to do, we know what we've done a few times this year. It was great to get on with it, play the full 80 and get a good win." - Gold Coast Titans coach Justin Holbrook
"It's a contact sport, I'm running as hard as I can and he's getting up fast to try and stop me and I guess he's come off second best, but I am hoping he's alright and I'm hoping I'm alright too." - Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Wests Tigers: Round 15
“Not our best (performance) by a long way, even before Api (Koroisau) finished, we were dropping ball, simple balls. We played on our own goal line in the first half 80-90 percent of the time, so we didn’t really get much opportunity down their end to score, but they held us in their area. Losing Brooksy (Luke Brooks) with a hamstring, means a major reshuffle for us next week." - Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens
What's Next
Next week, the Tigers will head home to Campbelltown Sports Stadium in Sydney to host Melbourne Storm.
The Titans have a bye in Round 16 and then head to Suncorp Stadium for a Queensland derby match against Brisbane Broncos in Round 17.