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The new recruits brought a big smile to Titans coach Justin Holbrook’s face in Saturday’s trial against the Warriors, especially when he saw what Premier Storm winner Tino Fa’asuamaleuai can do with his head. full of steam.
The Maroons forward gave every indication that it could be one of the purchases of the year, as he produced a powerful 40-meter burst to score the Titans’ first try in a 12-point tie at the Oakes Oval in Lismore.
“He was great, wasn’t he? He’s been training really well for us, he trains the way he plays, so he’s been fantastic,” Holbrook said.
“I thought Tino and AJ (Brimson) were really good, so they will be perfect for us in the first round.”
The Warriors may not like the idea of trying to contain some of the Titans stars, but they get another bite of that cherry when the two clubs meet on Sunday, March 13, in Gosford for the opening game of the Titans. season 2021.
Brimson played his first game since breaking a bone and tearing the ligaments in his left foot in Queensland’s first victory at State of Origin in Adelaide last November. He put his foot to the test early with a 20-meter jump line.
Then there was the ever-imposing threat from another new recruit in David Fifita, who made life difficult for Warriors backup running back Sean O’Sullivan by rolling on him a few times.
“I was also very happy with Dave, he’s doing great too,” Holbrook said.
“So in terms of how all the players were and how the game played out, I’m very happy with that. I thought there were some really good signals for us without being brilliant.”
“It was a good hit … and always a little awkward knowing that we will be playing them in two weeks, but I’m happy with what I saw.
“It was what we needed, we just have to play football and now get through what we can hope for in the first round.”
The Warriors also showed some new product and they shone. Former Tigers and Panthers tough player Ben Murdoch-Masila created a lot of space in the middle, giving his team momentum. He has returned from five years in the Super League with Salford and Warrington.
His intrusion runs were mirrored by Tongan international and former Manly mainstay Addin Fonua-Blake, who provided good minutes for coach Nathan Brown.
Big Tino lights up Lismore
The Titans always seemed more threatening at first. Running back Jamal Fogarty picked up where he left off with the Indigenous All Stars a week ago with quick hands and speed on the line.
The Warriors defense held firm, but when starting hooker Wayde Egan left the field in the 15th minute with an elbow injury, it appeared to be a turning point.
Fa’asuamaleuai scored in the next set before Jarrod Wallace gratefully accepted a pass from Anthony Don, a local NSW Northern Rivers product, to score three minutes later to put the Titans up 12-0.
The Warriors finally got onto the roster before halftime via second rower Josh Curran as he collided with the combined tackle of Mitch Rein and Brian Kelly.
At 12-6 at halftime it was everyone’s game, but fatigue was beginning to manifest itself in both teams.
Midway through the second half, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck began his farewell tour at the NRL with a traditional bust on the field after stepping on Titans half Ash Taylor.
Kodi Nikorima and Jazz Tevaga continued in support with Tevaga finishing. That closed the scores at 12-12 with a quarter of the game to play.
The Titans pushed hard in the final stages with no reward, even though former warrior Patrick Herbert came three times within inches of scoring against his former teammates.
But without a gold point in the test games, it was still a tied ball game.
