Kane Elgey

The Gold Coast Titans strong away record has continued, after they recorded a narrow 32-28 win over the New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.

Revolutionised under Neil Henry, the Titans style of play is attractive to watch and their attacking nous was on show throughout the game.

Although they did not lead in the game until the second half, it was an exciting game to watch from both teams’ perspectives.

The Titans attacking run came on the back of Warriors back-rower Ryan Hoffman being forced off the field due to concussion and from there, the Warriors downward spiral began.

With both sides guilty of making far too many errors in games past, the points were on offer in this clash and the teams made the most of the opportunity.

The man who stepped up when it mattered was an unlikely source. Titans young gun Kane Elgey, who played perhaps the best game of his short NRL career.

Elgey was involved in everything and had the ball on a string at times, for if he was not scoring them, he was setting them up and creating opportunity at will.

It has Titans fans salivating at the possibility of retaining him and having him play alongside Daly Cherry-Evans in 2016.

For the Warriors, despite their late resurgence, there were some disappointing patches from their end. In a game at home, they should have been expected to win but the little things are what let them down in the end.

There was nothing but praise from Henry for his side’s performances, with the players receiving plaudits from him.

“It was a bit nervous at the back end when they got some quick tries, and the boys had to hang on. I think we started the second half well, we were a bit loose defensively in the first half and probably underestimated the wind advantage too,” Henry said.

“It was a pretty brave performance, there were parts of the second half where we defended our line really well.

“We sort of kicked away but they are not a side you can allow to have the ball.”

With three right centres picked by the Warriors already this season, coach Andrew McFaden admitted they are no closer to finding the right long-term option.

“Good and bad, it’s another combination and we threw him out there very hopefully,” McFadden said of Fusitu’a’s performance.

Player of the Game:

3. Kane Elgey
2. Ryan James
1. Kierran Moseley

Titans 32 (Elgey 2, Don, Moseley, Roberts, James tries; Sezer x4 goals) def. Warriors 26 (Fusitu’a, Matulino, Wright, Kata, Thompson tries; Johnson 4 goals) at Mt Smart Stadium. Crowd: 15,102.

By ricky

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