The Gold Coast Titans kept their finals dream alive today with a one-point win over the Wests Tigers, thanks to a field goal from their new superstar Jarryd Hayne.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Tigers 18
Gold Coast 19
The Wests Tigers will be looking to keep a hot run of form going at Campbelltown Stadium when they take on the Gold Coast Titans with Jarryd Hayne in his second game, one that could have huge finals implications. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3pm (AEST).
Hayne, who made his club debut last week now plays his first game in Sydney against the Tigers and wow oh wow is it an important one.
Both the Tigers and the Titans sit just outside the top eight with the Tigers on 24 points – locked with the Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors, in seventh and eighth respectively while the Titans are on 23 competition points.
With just three remaining matches after this one, a win is absolutely crucial and resembles a ‘four point turnaround’ in the battle for the final two spots in the eight.
The Wests Tigers, since dropping Robbie Farah have been in absolutely outstanding form and really rose to prominence last week. After wins against the lowly St George Illawarra Dragons and Parramatta Eels, they managed to defeat competition heavyweights the North Queensland Cowboys.
It was an brilliant performance, and their defence is finally standing up. Not only that, but the form of Mitchell Moses and James Tedesco has been out of this world.
The Titans have been well above expectations all season, but with Hayne as an x-factor player they could be a real force heading into the back end of the season. However, that is only going to happen if they stick to structures that work for them.
Last week, they took on the New Zealand Warriors and went down by ten – and while Hayne was their best player it was concerning that Ashley Taylor who has been one of the form halves of the competition had limited impact.
However, the Titans certainly have it in them to challenge better sides, after a couple of wins in a row and then a draw against the Cronulla Sharks which broke their 15 match winning streak.
In team news apart from Hayne, the Tigers are unchanged while the Titans travel south with a six man interchange bench which includes Nathan Friend and Ryan Simpkins.
These sides have played 16 times since the inception of the Titans, who hold the ledger nine games to seven, so not a massive difference there.
Prediction
What a ripper of a game this is set to be. If the Titans can include Ashley Taylor in their attack more than they did last week, then they win. I’m not sure they will though, or that their defence can contain Mitchell Moses.
Titans by 8 in a high scoring match.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 3pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Scott Pryde
Expert
They showed last week with Hayne that they are inconsistent - but they absolutely have no choice on this one.
Muzz
Guest
Great game. It'll be interesting to see if the NRL owned Titans suspend one of their own players at this time of the year.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
I tell you what JB, you go alright, keep the energy up it always gives me a laugh!!
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Fair call. So glad i went, was on hill Hayne kicked to. As a neutral i was lured by Hayne. I doubt there wouldve been much more than 10k in attendance without Hayne, Tigers beancounters will be grateful despite the loss. You could hear the crack in the unfortunate Tedesco tackle, only blight on a great arvo of footy.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Awesome game by the Titans and great finish by Jarryd Hayne. He is getting back to his best and hopefully they get to the Finals as he will be well and truly back by then. Another great game by Ash Taylor, awesome player. The whole Titans team defended so well when they were under the pump early and still found enough energy to put the points on and win the game. Both James's will be a big loss to their teams if long term injury and suspension is what happens.
Scott Pryde
Expert
» Click here to read the full match report Well, that just about wraps up The Roar's live coverage of today's crucial NRL match at Campbelltown Stadium as the Gold Coast Titans edged out the Wests Tigers by a point. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. We now move to Auckland where the New Zealand Warriors take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs - you can follow coverage of that with John Coomer here - http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/08/13/new-zealand-warriors-vs-south-sydney-rabbitohs-nrl-live-scores-blog-2/ I'll be around tomorrow morning with Track cycling and Hockey at the Olympic Games. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Results Jarryd Hayne has kicked a last second field goal to hand the Gold Coast Titans a thrilling one-point victory over the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium, in a game that lived up every bit to it's expectations. It wasn't just the field goal though in a fantastic match from Hayne. He ran the ball with some real strength, looked dangerous more often than he didn't and was generally good with his decision making in both attack and defence. Unfortunately, the game may not be remembered for the brilliant spectacle that it was though, but rather a nasty tackle from Ryan James on Wests Tigers fullback James Tedesco which is likely to have broken his jaw. With finals implications likely to come out of this game, the Tigers had all the early running but couldn’t convert it into enough points to put the Titans away, and with some missed opportunities, including some in front of goal later in the game it would come back to bite them. In fact, at one point the Tigers had completed 10 of 13 sets while the Tigers were sitting on 1 of 3, highlighting the massive difference in possession between the two sides. The early domination was largely thanks to Mitchell Moses who was fantastic with his kicking game early on in the piece, building pressure with a number of repeat sets, but when they came away with it only scoring a try and a penalty goal it was always going to be a tough ask to keep themselves going through the back end of the first half. Full credit must absolutely go to the Titans defence, who probably set up the victory during that first 20 minutes. It all kicked off with the fastest try of the year thus far as the Titans went the length of the field off the kick-off, an Elijah Taylor offload putting Aaron Woods through the line before he passed onto James Tedesco, who has also been fantastic early and then Kevin Naiqama would streak away to score under the sticks. Following the penalty goal, the the Titans would as mentioned defend well for plenty of time before Anthony Don scored their first try of the match. It came off an Anthony Don break from a poor Tigers set, and then a spread across the field with the final pass from Chris McQueen. Following that was a try to Josh Hoffman who scored off a fantastic Ashley Taylor grubber that sat up perfectly for him. The final try of the first half was scored by Anthony Don once again, this time off a Jarryd Hayne who put up a bomb running across the face of the line before Don snatched it out of the grasp of Jordan Rankin. While Hayne was fantastic during that first half for the Titans, their outside backs and Ashley Taylor did plenty in attack to ease the Titans into the lead. The second half started out pretty slowly before the Tigers looked to start dominating again. However, a spread to right-hand side saw a tap on not handled by Kevin Naiqama before Nene McDonald ran the length of the field to score extending the lead to eight. The Tigers would then answer back with an incredible try to David Nofoaluma with Mitchell Moses rushed into a grubber that Mead couldn't handle, and the rebound went straight to the winger who crossed in the corner. Just a matter of minutes later Nofoaluma was over again in the corner as he threw himself through the air from a long range break, and a few quick play the balls that stretched the Titans defence. Because of their goal kicking though, scores were tied and the final ten minutes descended into multiple shots at field goal. Both Mitchell Moses and Ashley Taylor missed two each, handing away seven tackle sets and good opportunities, before Hayne stood up with mere seconds on the clock, standing in front of Taylor to get the job done. It's a massively important win for the Titans, which keeps them in the finals pitcture and sets up for a couple of intriguing final rounds. Final Score Wests Tigers 18 Gold Coast Titans 19
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Great game great crowd ,tough luck about Tedesco.Think James is in a heap of trouble with his hit on Tedesco. That Nene McDonald runs like the wind,should be at the OPS. Try by Nofoaluma was freakish ,had as much space to plant the ball down to score,as a saucer. Hayne not only worth the price of admission,but the influence he already has on a game ,in such a short space of time. Neither side deserved to lose,plenty of close games this year.Pity we have Thursday nights and Monday nights rio stuff things up schedule wise.Keep em coming boys,loving it.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Roar's NRL MVP 3 - Jarryd Hayne 2 - Chris Lawrence 1 - Nene McDonald
Scott Pryde
Expert
Statistics Tries: Tigers (3), Titans (4) Goals: Tigers (1/3), Titans (1/4) Penalty Goals: Tigers (2/3), Titans (nil) Field Goals: Tigers (0/2), Titans (1/3) Possession: Tigers (50%), Titans (50%) Completions: Tigers (28/38), Titans (25/31) All runs: Tigers (182), Titans (140) All run metres: Tigers (1634), Titans (1434) Line breaks: Tigers (3), Titans (2) Offloads: Tigers (15), Titans (9) Tackles: Tigers (288), Titans (342) Missed tackles: Tigers (18), Titans (32) Penalties: Tigers (8), Titans (5) Errors: Tigers (11), Titans (12)
up in the north
Roar Rookie
We I'll be damned. Any doubts I had that Hayne wouldn't be ready for NRL action are now well and truly smashed. What an amazing end to the game.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hayne has just said to Fox Sports that he overruled Ashley Taylor - 'he had two attempts and so I called for it'.
Scott Pryde
Expert
He showed that before kick-off last week when CBUS Super Stadium was fuller than it has ever been. He gives the Titans a real show at the premiership next year.
Johnybulldog
Guest
Hayne goes alright hey guys!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on that match Roarers? Full report, stats and MVP to follow.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Already worth the 1.2m
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Tigers with one last roll of the dice for a short kick-off and it doesn't go 10. We have to play the penalty, but it won't matter. That does us. What an excellent game of Rugby League. Wests Tigers 18 Gold Coast Titans 19
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - FIELD GOAL TITANS, JARRYD HAYNE The Titans bring it away through Mead and McDonald in the final minute before Peats with a strong run to halfway. Short ball for Bird and he is inside 40 before Hurrell with a big run himself. James into centre field and it goes to Hayne with time running down! Seconds to go and he has kicked it! He has kicked it with mere seconds on the clock. Tigers 18 Titans 19
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Fantastic calm from David Mead to let that roll, he must've been tempted to try and steam back onto it.
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - Rankin brings it back before Naiqama goes left. Halatau down the left side before Grant comes over halfway. Last play from 41 out and Moses takes the shot and it goes dead. Tigers 18 Titans 18