Bryce Cartwright struggles as Gold Coast fall 20-14 to New Zealand in NRL trial

BRYCE Cartwright is under pressure to lift for the premiership after the big-money Gold Coast recruit again struggled for impact in the Titans’ 20-14 trial loss to the Warriors.

Keegan Hipgrave runs the ball for the Gold Coast Titans in their NRL pre-season trial against the New Zealand Warriors at Sunshine Coast Stadium on February 24, 2018. Picture: Patrick Woods

BRYCE Cartwright is under pressure to lift for the premiership after the big-money Gold Coast recruit again struggled for impact in the Titans’ 20-14 trial loss to the Warriors last night.

The Titans outlaid almost $3 million to lure Cartwright to the glitter strip but in his opening two trials, he has displayed none of the mojo that made him a match-winner at former club Penrith.

After just 20 minutes against the Broncos the previous week, Cartwright played 70 minutes last night, but was clinically muzzled by the Warriors’ defence.

Keegan Hipgrave acquitted himself well.

Of course, it’s only early days, but Cartwright’s slow start represents a snapshot of a Titans squad that has been defensively passive and structurally shoddy in back-to-back trial losses.

Not even the return of star halfback Ashley Taylor could help last night as new Warriors halves Shaun Johnson and Blake Green combined well to sink the Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

To compound the Titans’ plight, Newcastle recruit Brendan Elliot (ankle) hobbled off after just seven minutes, leaving him in doubt for their round-one clash against Canberra.

New Titans coach Garth Brennan lamented his side’s winless trial campaign and challenged Cartwright to find another gear for the premiership.

“He worked hard but it’s a big ask for him to play in the middle for 70 minutes,” he said.

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“It’s alright to play (at lock) in attack, but it comes with defensive loads as well.”

“We have a lot of work to do, it was scratchy - there’s no doubt about that.

“We created opportunities, but the effort ... we still have some improvement in that area.

“Our defensive line lacked aggression and we need to get better at that.”

The Warriors led 10-6 at half-time and sealed victory when hooker Sam Cook barged over for a 20-10 lead 10 minutes from time.

Titans forwards Ryan James and Keegan Hipgrave tried hard and Tyronne Roberts-Davis also impressed, scoring two second-half tries to keep the Coast in the contest.

But the Warriors hung on to consign the Titans to another trial loss, ensuring Brennan will go back to the drawing board to ensure his troops are competitive this season.

The Titans struggled to get anything going.

The first-half was a frustrating litany of penalties and unforced errors as both sides tried to find some shape in attack.

For the Titans to be a force this season, they need their halves, Taylor and Kane Elgey, to fire.

Elgey was ineffective and needs to improve his kicking game for the premiership. Taylor, meanwhile, showed some classy touches, as evidenced in the 14th minute when he picked up the scraps from his grubber kick and touched down for a 6-0 lead.

But when it mattered most, the Warriors had superior size and class in clutch playmaking moments to give Brennan some early headaches.

Originally published as Bryce Cartwright struggles as Gold Coast fall 20-14 to New Zealand in NRL trial