The Sydney Roosters got their season started with a 14-point win over the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday night.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Gold Coast Titans 18
Sydney Roosters 32
The Gold Coast Titans are looking to build on a positive 2016 campaign when they host the Sydney Roosters, who need to bounce back from a disastrous campaign last year. Join The Roar from 9pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
Despite playing surprisingly well in 2016, there are major question marks over the Titans’ chances in 2017.
The loss of Nathan Peats doesn’t help, the injured hooker could miss at least five weeks, however, having won eight of their last 13 games against the Roosters, the Titans will be confident they can surprise doubters for the second year in a row.
Gold Coast initially opened up as favourites here, however in the past few weeks Sydney became the most backed team to make the eight and lift the premiership.
The Chooks travel to Queensland looking to erase a disappointing 2016 campaign from their minds.
Their story was the opposite of that of the Gold Coast, proving underwhelming despite being premiership favourites early on.
The Roosters’ forward pack is one of the strongest in the competition, and in attack they can cause problems all over the park, especially down the right-hand side with Blake Ferguson.
The Titans are strong in the centre, however they need to be careful not get exposed down the wings. If they succeed in doing so, it’s anyone’s game.
Prediction
Roosters by 2.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
So the Roosters won , is that what your saying ? I haven't seen any other scores, how did the Wabbits go ?
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
He scored a good try. Does that count? Early days, he will get better from here. Elgey needs to share the ball more with Taylor IMO. He took too much on himself at crucial moments last night. Taylor proved he was more than capable last year after all.
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
Good call Isaac. The crowd here unfortunately resembles most Roosters games (not too many). The Titans had their chances late but failed to capitalise on opportunities late in the game. The lead was too big to chase down and the Titans will need to look at their defence around the ruck before their next game. I'm not quite sure if climate change has caused a shift in the poles but there has been a cataclysmic pole shift in the NRL league ladder thus far with the Dragons, Tigers and Roosters at the top of the ladder when many were predicting the reverse. Good luck to their supporters but before anyone gets too carried away remember that in the last 6 years the eventual premiers have lost in Round 1 on 4 of the 6 occasions! In 2014 Souths won in round 1 but lost their next 3 straight. Just a thought... there is still a LONG way to go, it's a marathon not a sprint.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined me and The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again very soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Gold Coast Titans 18 - 32 Sydney Roosters
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Michael Gordon can't convert, but the Roosters prevail. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 32
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
79' - TRY ROOSTERS Mitchell gets his hat-trick after Tupou does well to win the ball off the kick and off load it to him. Roosters have put the game to bed. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 32
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
78' - Elgey looks to chip and chase but he loses the ball. Roosters are slowing the game down. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
77' - Jarryd Hayne picks the ball up off the grubber and charges forward. Titans look desperate to make metres. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
76' - Roosters force the knock-on and will get the chance to control the pace of the game. This could be what they need to put the game to bed. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
75' - Elgey chases his own kick but he can't get to it. Roosters kick the ball out for the dropout. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
74' - Tupou intercepts and makes a great run, but he loses the ball on the flick pass and the Titans come away with the ball, make a run and win the penalty. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
73' - The Titans win a penalty and hit the ball downfield. They have six and a half minutes to come back. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
72' - Roosters kick on the first tackle but the Titans come away with the ball. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
71' - Jarryd Hayne looks for a kick down the left hand side and he is taken out. No penalty, and Hayne is not happy about it. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
69' - The Roosters finally finish a set, but they struggled to make metres. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
66' - The Titans push forward once again, and the Roosters can only defend to end up with a long dropout. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
65' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL We could be in for a huge finish, as Taylor converts three straight. TITANS 18 ROOSTERS 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
63' - TRY TITANS Taylor's kick is caught brilliantly by Jarryd Hayne, who gets it down for a try! The Titans are back, and given the position of the conversion, you have to expect it to be a 10-point game. TITANS 16 ROOSTERS 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
62' - Roosters give away a penalty and the Titans really need to hit the ball upfield. They are running out of time. TITANS 12 ROOSTERS 28