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.
New recruits under the microscope
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)
To the left to the left
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.
Poor Shawn Blore
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.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
That’s it. Nothing more needs to be said.
Stuart McLennan
Expert
Doueihi and Laurie in fact. As I’m sure you know rugby league is not just attack. Fifita did some good things with the ball but got caught out a couple of times and I’m sure opposition coaches will target your man.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I watched the match in full and I note the scoreboard. I am happy with my assessment of what happened out there yesterday, despite your apparent support of the "defensive duffer". He had some moments in attack , but the three tries down Doueihi's right edge justified the Titan's strategy to target that side with Fifita beside Foran, even if they got caught out by Doueihi too.
Dutski
Roar Guru
How good did AJ Brimson look back at number 1? Campbell is a talent, but Brimson is something else. Douehi tried hard and who can blame him for going himself when you have either Naden or Talau outside? I'm hoping Talau can develop but surely Toa is a better option than Naden for a centre spot. Nofa is wasted outside either of them. Sammy Verrills was the best hooker on the park by a mile. Good first up win for the Titans - be keen to see how they go against stronger opposition. Might cause a few upsets if they can play like that each week.
Stuart McLennan
Expert
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
And yet Alex Twal got twice as many Supercoach points - which is why Supercoach is a such a dud fantasy sport.
Stuart McLennan
Guest
The “defensive duffer Doueihi” You might want to look at the two Tigers tries and the defensive efforts of the Titans player you are showering with kisses.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I think this match was decided by the two coaching groups with strategies prior to kick off. The Tigers brainstrust decided to leave their new team captain and experienced big match number 9 on the bench for half an hour ??? The Titans brainstrust decided to switch Fifita to the left edge beside their new leader Foran to bring him into the game more and also to attack noted defensive duffer Adam Doueihi . The results panned out perfectly for the Titans with Fifita have one of his best matches for the Titans . Just what happens next week with Foran maybe now missing, will be anyone's guess ?
Tigertown
Guest
Laugh all you like. It’s only the first round, thank you very much. We have incredible support at the Tigers. That’s real commitment.
DavMan
Roar Rookie
I never cease to be amazed by how critical we can be of teams after one game. It's a bit like sacking someone on their first day in a new job because they don't work like someone who's been there for years.
Tony
Roar Guru
John, apparently they're taking it one game at a time
MB
Guest
Lol nice doco champ. despite Boks Rugby or poli views they arent wrong about the Tigers being woeful. I guess accepting mediocrity results in 10 years of no finals
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
4 tries to 2, And the Titans last 25 minutes without their chief playmaker. Did not expect that drivel from Sheens, He should have gone with the tried and tested " beaten by a better team on the day" or " they wanted it more"
Tigertown
Guest
... Says a right-wing Union fan. Probably remembers Apartheid too. The mighty Tigers don’t need your geriatric comments.
ForeverBok
Roar Rookie
The Tigers remain pathetic. Can`t believe Benjy gave up a prime gig at Fox League to go to these deadbeats.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Sheens “We would have liked to have had a win” & “They didn’t win the game as much as we lost it”. What other words of wisdom can he offer?
andrew
Roar Rookie
I don't think they won it as much as we lost it? Really Tim. A loss is a loss. Looks like Stuart has learnt from you the art of making excuses.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Tigers want to play expansive football (even though they don’t have the talent to do it). They had a dry track, a full home crowd against a team not expected to be in the finals mix. They won the penalty count 9-3 and the set restarts 5-2. The referee even sent the Titans second try up to the bunker as a try rather than just award it such, was the way the game was officiated…. Everything was in their favour and they were not very good and didn’t really look like winners after the first titans try. If you want to play expansive football you need the players who can play it and you need to be able to defend because you will inevitably make mistakes - especially when you play in the wet. And the decision to play Api off the bench backfired delux. He was completely disinterested
Brepen
Roar Rookie
Sheens quote should have been “sticking up for brooks as my half back option showed how out of touch I was with NRL 2023”
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Tino is an absolute titan, without doubt one of the best big men in the game. Led the team brilliantly last year with little support, but despite the total lack of support and far too regular losses, his effort and skill never flagged. I'd have him back at Melbourne in a heartbeat