David Fifita and Jarrod Wallace. Both former Brisbane Broncos now at the Gold Coast Titans and both scoring tries in the Titans’ win.
In the end, the 28-16 win was on the back of a period of seven minutes before the half-time break that saw the Titans score 3 quick tries.
As the Broncos’ losing streak goes back 13 games until last July, it was Fifita who blew his former side out of the water.
Both sides began in a somewhat tepid fashion, testing each other out and getting a feel for the game.
It would be the Titans who put their noses in front, though, on the back of a try to Wallace.
Wallace ran onto a lovely short pass, spun in the tackle, and muscled his way over to score.
Not long after, the Broncos hit back courtesy of Tesi Niu.
Xavier Coates took a crossfield kick and passed it back to Niu, who showed good acceleration to score in the corner.
Although the Broncos can count themselves lucky due to a possible knock-on in the lead-up by Pat Carrigan.
As the half went on, the scoreline may well have remained 6-4 to the Titans but they had other plans.
Running onto a quality pass from close range, Fifita broke a tackle and glided over to score.
On the next play, the Titans had the Broncos on the back foot as they charged up the field.
A poor kick ended up turning into gold as Anthony Don plucked the ball from the air, kicked ahead again, and found Erin Clark to score.
Just when it looked like that was it, the Titans were in again through a rare try-scorer.
That was Jaimin Jolliffe. He barged over from close range to score his first NRL try and to have the Titans up 22-4 at the break.
Fifita would have his second try near the halfway mark of the second half, as he hit the gap with speed, swatted away defenders, and scored.
The Broncos would score two late consolation tries.
The first saw them get a bit of luck as the ball was ruled to be stripped away from Niu with Coates then pouncing to score.
Tevita Pangai Jr. then took a quick tap with a couple of minutes to go and reached out to score.
That would be all she wrote, though, as the Titans get on the board.
After being criticised for his effort last week despite being in the hospital, Titans coach Justin Holbrook was pleased with star back-rower Fifita.
“I’m just really happy for him,” Holbrook said.
“He had a really good week and then showed what he is capable of tonight.
“As I said all along, he is a back-rower in the side and he just has to do his job. That’s all we need from him.”
Not being able to finish the game off did disappoint Holbrook, however.
“I think the last 15 to 20 minutes we fumbled our way to the finish line and that’s concerning,” Holbrook said.
Kevin Walters was candid post-game, saying silly errors and poor kicks just cost them too much in the end.
“You can’t expect to win games when you’re dropping the ball. Just simple errors as well,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said.
“A couple of poor kicks tonight – one from Milf and one from Brodie – invited the Titans to put pressure on us.
“I can’t worry about what happened last year, we’re 0-2 this year and we’ve certainly been in both games.
NRL News Player of the Game
3. David Fifita (GLD)
2. Corey Thompson (GLD)
1. Tevita Pangai Jr. (BRI)
