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The return for Tim Sheen as head coach to the Wests Tigers didn’t go to plan, feeling his side were their own worst enemy during their 22-10 loss to the Gold Coast Titans at Leichhardt on Sunday.
“We would have liked to have a win, and we played well in patches,” said Sheens.
“I don’t think they won it as much as we lost it with our fundamental errors. We had great patches of defence but little moments broke it away from us. We just didn’t nail it every time and scoreboard pressure mounted.
“Still, I saw enough signs there to be looking forward to next week.”
While the Tigers seemed to have all of the ball and momentum early on, a penalty kick was all they had to show on the scoreboard.
The Titans weathered the early storm, with the game swinging their way soon after and carrying right through the second half. A Philip Sami double saw the Titans head to the sheds with a 12-2 lead.
The Gold Coast picked up exactly where they left off when former Tiger Sam McIntyre crossed not long after the break to give his side an 18-2 lead. Adam Doueihi returned serve minutes later, and when Daine Laurie scored with 15 minutes to go the Leichhardt faithful were hopeful of a miracle, now trailing 18-10.
But a dropped ball from Laurie on the halfway line gave the Titans perfect field position, and AJ Brimson took immediate advantage for a 22-10 lead. The Tigers desperately tried to claw their way back into the match, but poor execution let them down. The Titans – and every Queensland side for that matter – went home with the two points this weekend.
It wasn’t a pretty game from either side, but errors, defensive lapses and poor completion really hurt the home side, completing just 27 of their 41 sets and making 14 errors to the Titans’ nine.
All eyes were on the new members of each squad, with Tigers fans hopeful new recruits Api Koroisau, Isaiah Papali’i and David Klemmer would cause some havoc and create some points, while Titans supporters were eager to see if Kieran Foran and Sam Verrills were the missing ingredients their spine have been desperately searching for.
While Koroisau surprised many by starting off the bench, his impact was instantly noticeable once on the field. Papali’i and Klemmer did the hard yards, but all three were never going to be instant fixes and will all take time to find their feet at their new club.
Verrills and Foran were brilliant. Their experience was on show, they guided the Titans around nicely and their influence is going to be imperative for the Titans.
Five-eighth Tanah Boyd had one of his best games, and he will continue to thrive with those two players to guide him. Foran left the game early with injury, and the Titans will be hoping he is right to go as soon as possible.
“He’s not good,” said Titans coach Justin Holbrook after the match.
“We won’t know the extent until after scans. We know how good he has been for us in pre-season, so hopefully, we get him back quickly.”
Isaiah Papali’i. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Fiita on the left side, working with Foran, was just beautiful to watch.
Seeing the backrower over the other side of the field combined with the new halfback is just the beginning of Fifita finally becoming the player we all know he can be.
Fifita was huge for the Titans today, running the most metres from any side with 196 along with 58 post-contact metres. He also made 13 hit-ups, four tackle breaks, one line break and one try assist.
While not for long thanks to Foran leaving the field, it gave everyone a great insight into things to come.
“They had the one training session together and looked terrific,” said Holbrook.
“We were really excited about the opportunity he (Fifita) was going to get on that edge. And that first touch he went straight through.
“It’s going to be a good combination if we get Kieran back quickly.”
Bravo, Mr Holbrook.
This guy cannot take a break.
After being out of the game for the past 18 months after suffering a second ACL injury, this match was meant to be his glorious long awaited return.
Unfortunately, the number 18 came back to haunt the Tigers backrower on Sunday, coming off for an HIA in the 18th minute and unable to return for the rest of the game.
Hopefully, he is given the all-clear to take his place in the side against the Knights next week.
That’s it. Nothing more needs to be said.