Titans halfback Ashley Taylor injures shoulder in derby defeat to Broncos
THE Gold Coast Titans are facing a halves crisis after rookie halfback Ashley Taylor suffered a shoulder injury during the loss to the Broncos.
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CAMERON Cullen is in line to make his NRL debut against Cronulla with the Gold Coast Titans facing a halves crisis after the loss to Brisbane.
Rookie halfback Ashley Taylor suffered a shoulder injury in the 24-16 defeat at Cbus Super Stadium and is almost certain to miss the trip to Cronulla.
Compounding the Gold Coast’s woes is the fact five-eighth Tyrone Roberts is battling bone bruising in his knee and is no certainty to be fit, meaning Greg Bird could spend another week at pivot.
Titans coach Neil Henry said Taylor battled on bravely in just his sixth NRL appearance but the signs weren’t good.
“It’s a bit sore. We’ll know a bit more (in the coming days),” he said.
“I don’t know if we’ll keep him out.
“He’s a brave kid. He’ll take a tackle when he needs to.
“Tyrone could be a risk. He’s feeling pretty good at the moment and we’d love to see him out there but we’re not going to push it.
“Cameron Cullen might get his debut. He warmed up with us and has done nothing wrong.”
The Titans weren’t disgraced by any means in front of 21,080 but just couldn’t find the killer blow despite mounting a gallant comeback after trailing 22-4.
They have now lost 15 of the 20 matches they’ve played against the Broncos, their worst record against any team in the NRL.
The Titans went into the game with an air of confidence about them having notched three wins in the opening four rounds of the season but those victories came against Newcastle, Wests and Canberra with Brisbane proving they’re in a different league to most of the competition.
The Titans were forced into a reshuffle with Bird at five-eighth and were dealt another blow when David Shillington (hip) was injured in the warm-up.
“We’ve got some guys with a lot of NRL experience and we’ve got some guys with next to none,” Henry said.
“That inexperience was there for all to see. It’s a real learning curve. You get that with a developing side.
“It’s a credit we’re still in games. We’re coming back and there’s a bit of fight there.
“If we stay resilient like that we’ll win a few games. I hope our fans think this side’s got a bit of character.”
Henry made a tactical move in switching centres John Olive and Josh Hoffman, which meant Olive was at left centre for the first time in his fifth NRL game up against James “The Jet” Roberts.
Roberts was fired up in his return to Robina and he made easy work in getting past Olive to score the first try.
Ben Hunt snuck past Olive before Mead showcased his explosive speed and fearless attitude to make it 10-4 at the break.
Mead was one of the Gold Coast’s best but could make way for returning fullback William Zillman (calf), who Henry confirmed would play in the Intrust Super Cup this weekend.
The Broncos bolted to a 22-4 lead through Jordan Kahu and Kodi Nikorima but the Titans of 2016 refuse to surrender.
Zeb Taia scored a double within four minutes to breathe life into the contest but a series of errors proved costly as the Broncos hung on for their fourth straight win against the Titans.
The loss brought an end to the Gold Coast’s run of five straight wins at home but it proved their early-season competitiveness is here to stay.
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