The Gold Coast Titans have snatched a win form their Queenslandian rivals, defeating the Brisbane Broncos by 12 points on Sunday.
Final score
Brisbane Broncos 14
Gold Coast Titans 26
It’s big brother vs little brother, as the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans ready for their first Queensland derby of the season. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog as these two face off from 6:30pm (AEST), Sunday.
The Broncos have won back-to-back games since their opening round defeat to the Dragons. Last Friday’s controversial golden point win against the Wests Tigers proved the Broncos are able to grind out games, albeit were kept try-less and would be aiming to rectify that against their rivals.
The Titans, on the other hand, have seen their fortunes reversed. They’ve lost consecutive games since their comeback victory against the Canberra Raiders in Round 1 and were heavily beaten by a rampant Dragons side, 54-8.
There are injury concerns for the Broncos. They will be without both Tevita Panhai Jr. (hamstring) and Corey Oates (hip). The pairing will be replaced by Jonus Pearson and Korbin Sims.
The Titans have been forced to drop prized recruit Bryce Cartwright to the bench following a poor start for his new club. Garth Brennan will be hoping this decision will serve as a wake-up call to the former Panther if he expects a push for finals football throughout the campaign.
Coming in at lock to replace him is Jai Arrow, who has been moved out of the front-row that started last weekend.
Brennan hasn’t stopped the changes there and has continued to reshuffle his pack in response to last week’s humiliating defeat. Ryan James has been moved from the back-row to the front – Will Matthews replaces the void left behind by him, coming into the run-on-side.
Prediction
Their last NRL fixture, back in August last year, was a 54-0 drubbing on the Gold Coast, but the Titans are an improved outfit compared to last season, though last weekend will say otherwise.
While the Broncos are still trying to perfect the halves combination of Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima, both teams are nowhere near the finished product.
The Titans will be determined to save face after last week’s drubbing and a victory over the Broncos will restore lost faith in their fanbase. Though they have only won one encounter in the 13 played at Suncorp and I don’t see it changing anytime soon.
Broncos by 10
Join The Roar for all the action from 6pm (AEST).
Geo
Guest
The Broncos playing like trash in front of their big crowd. How good can it get?
Emcie
Roar Guru
Hmmm
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Bring back Hunt!
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
The Gold Coast Titans have put their horrendous loss behind them and have gained a much needed confidence boost beating their rivals Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium 26-14. It was the club’s second ever win on their rivals turf and they embarrassed their so-called big brother in front of their own fans. Throughout the week Titans coach Garth Brennan stated that their forwards let down their halves and team in the result against the Dragons, though a forward pack led by skipper Ryan James completely dominated the Broncos through the middle. Another major concern for Wayne Bennett is the halves combination of Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima who are struggling to steer the ship in attack. The Broncos look stagnated in attack and completely flat, if these problems aren’t rectified finals football could be a real challenge for the NRL heavyweights. Phillip Sami had a very happy Easter who served up a hat-trick in a scoreline that was quite flattering for the Broncos. Brisbane were only good in patches and their tries came off consecutive sets on the Titans line who couldn’t handle the pressure for a long period. Their attack isn’t clicking at this stage of the season, even with the possible return of Corey Oates and Tevita Pangai Jr, the Broncos don’t have the x-factor and creativity to create opportunities. If only Ben Hunt was cheaper.
adam
Guest
Being fair though, there's a good half a dozen teams who can't score points to save their lives
Michael Woods
Roar Rookie
Worst display I have ever seen from the Broncos. Looked like a poorly coached team, no cohesian, no go forward, no ball security, no ball control. Good by finals 2018
Rob
Guest
Great win by the Titans. Brisbane are very lucky to be 2-2. Cowboys should have beaten them and they were given a gift win over the Tigers.
Luke S
Guest
At least Brisbane City Council takes away rubbish....
Luke S
Guest
To say they were shite, is an insult to shite! They were the shite, that shite, shites!!!!! Is Bennett to busy with his new younger woman to pay any attention to training?
Max Mayer
Roar Guru
First time a Gold Coast side has ever beaten the Broncos away from home.
jimmmy
Guest
That’s a poor one from the Broncs . Well done to the Titans . They weren’t brilliant but at least they turned up unlike the other teams .
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
Thanks everyone for joining in on the blog. It's always good fun reading your thoughts on the game.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
They were absolutely shocking.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME BRONCOS 14-26 TITANS Little brother trumps big brother on their own turf. Match report to follow...
adam
Guest
Gosh broncos are serving up some rubbish
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
1-2 weeks at the most was the early prognosis.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
77th min Broncos 14-26 Titans The Broncos are throwing the ball around but are going sideways rather than forward. A hail-mary play on the last tackle sees Michael Gordon clear his goal line, evading a chasing Broncos pack. That seems like that's it for the Broncos. Fans are rushing home.
Emcie
Roar Guru
How long till oates is back?
onehunglowlee
Guest
That's what I was wondering!
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
75th min Broncos 14-26 Titans Both teams are just swapping through completed sets. Clock dwindling down and the Titans wouldn't have it any other way. Broncos need something out of the ordinary at this point.