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You don’t need any more proof than this match that rugby league is a game of two halves, as the Gold Coast Titans came back from a 10-point deficit to score a 30-18 win over the Wests Tigers.
The Tigers picked up where they left off from their previous encounter with Manly, racing to a 10-point lead following two tries to Kevin Naiqama, his second off the back of a brilliant pass from Kyle Lovett.
You’d be forgiven for thinking they would go on with it from there, with the potential to rack up a score on the home side.
The Titans had other ideas though, as they held tough through the middle stages of the first half to keep themselves alive, and deservedly got the game back to within a try after Daniel Mortimer crashed over from dummy half just minuted before half time.
The start of the second half proved to be the undoing of the visitors, with tries to Hoffman, James, Taylor and MacDonald in the first 21 minutes of the half sending the visitors out to a 30-10 lead, which proved unassailable in the end.
Halfback Ashley Taylor celebrated his 21st birthday during the week and couldn’t have asked for a better game, with his kicking and calmness under pressure crucial in the win.
Ryan James was simply sensational off the bench. He ran for 156 metres to go with 18 tackles and a barnstorming try which gave his team plenty of momentum at a key point in the game.
Naiqama finished with a hat-trick for the visitors, with Tedesco and Woods both having solid games.
Final score
Gold Coast Titans 30
Wests Tigers 18
The Gold Coast Titans are looking to bounce back when they host the undefeated Wests Tigers. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match from 9:30pm (AEDT).
The Gold Coast weren’t as poor as the score suggests in their defeat to Melbourne, simply finding the men in purple too strong in the second half.
They’ll relish being back at home, the scene of their first-round demolition of a lowly Newcastle side.
It won’t be easy though, as the Wests Tigers are coming off two strong wins, and will be buoyed with how they closed out their game against Manly, scoring four of the last five tries to come away with a deserved win.
The gameplan has been simple for the Tigers so far in 2016: make metres through the middle with their big forward pack, laying the platform for their halves and James Tedesco to display their brilliance.
Wests also have a good record at Cbus Super Stadium, winning four of their eight games there, which will give them confidence.
Their forwards will find themselves in more of a dogfight this week, with the Gold Coast looking like a more cohesive unit than the Manly side which Aaron Woods and co. steamrolled last round.
If the Titans can withstand the Tigers’ firepower, they’ll come away with the two points, as they’ve got pace to burn on their flanks, and muscle in the middle.
The kicking game of Ashley Taylor will have to be on song, as will the pressure placed on Tedesco when he is returning kicks, as he is superb when facing a staggered defensive line.
Greg Bird is another key to victory for the home side. He’s been both strong in defence and with the ball in hand, and is capable of carrying his team over the line.
Prediction
There should be plenty of points in this one, with both teams capable of racking up a score. I’m going to stick with the Titans in a close one.
Titans by 6
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