NRL trials 2022: Broncos give Kevin Walters selection headache after 26-all draw with Titans

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has a few headaches to overcome after Brisbane’s playmakers bumbled their way through their trial against the Titans, while there was another big concern.

Corey Oates charges into the Titans’ defence. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has a selection migraine for the premiership opener after Brisbane’s playmaking spine bumbled their way through a 26-all draw with the Titans in a pre-season trial at Cbus Super Stadium.

Brisbane have won 21 of 31 premiership derby clashes against the Gold Coast but Little Brother lifted at Robina, exposing some major chinks in the Broncos’ armour just three weeks out from their season opener against South Sydney.

Don’t be fooled by the scoreline. The Broncos were being towelled up by the baby Titans, trailing 26-8 on the hour, before three late tries, and a Jamayne Isaako conversion after the full-time siren, saved Brisbane’s bacon.

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With Brisbane’s marquee halfback recruit Adam Reynolds watching the action from the sidelines, the Broncos looked disjointed as halves contenders Billy Walters, Albert Kelly and Tyson Gamble struggled for control in the nerve centre. They completed at a woeful 58 per cent.

The Broncos were equally lacklustre in defence, with the Titans crossing for five tries, including a double to rookie Treymain Spry, as Brisbane were largely beaten in the middle third.

Corey Oates charges into the Titans’ defence. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

While Walters will not be hitting the panic button — after all, trial matches are designed to clear the rust — Brisbane need to lift their game in next week’s final pre-season hitout against the Cowboys in Mackay.

“It was a bit mixed,” Walters said. “We certainly need to be better with our ball control and it has been spoken about.”

SIXES AND SEVENS

With star No.7 Reynolds in cotton wool, no Broncos playmaker made a compelling case to partner the new skipper for round one on March 11.

The Broncos’ No.6 jumper is up for grabs but starting halves Walters and Kelly and fellow playmaker Gamble, named on the bench, all failed to stamp their authority as the Titans raced to a 12-8 half-time lead.

Kelly fumbled early and struggled to take control at No.7. Outside him, Walters showed moments of zip, having a hand in Selwyn Cobbo’s opening try in the sixth minute, but there was no real sizzling knockout punch in the battle for the No.6 spot.

“I thought they played OK at different times,” Walters said of his halves. “I don’t think anyone is in front at the moment.”

SOFT CENTRE

Brisbane must fix their defensive structures to be a finals contender. They leaked a club record 695 points last season and once again they were brittle in midfield against the Titans.

“There was a try in the first half that was soft,” Walters said. “We need to keep working on our defence, but I sense more togetherness this season.”

FAB FIVE

On an erratic night for the Broncos, Brisbane fans can take heart from the performances of Kotoni Staggs, Tom Flegler, Cory Paix, Kobe Hetherington and Pat Carrigan.

Carrigan came through unscathed in his return from a knee reconstruction, Paix was sharp around the rucks in the second half and Flegler was again outstanding after his strong display against Wynnum last week.

Stand-in skipper Kurt Capewell was tireless in the first half, while Staggs showed his class in the 37th minute, using his power and speed to crash over, underlining why he is one of the NRL’s most lethal attackers.

Titans’ young guns show promising signs

By Travis Meyn

The young Titans upstaged the big-name Broncos on Saturday night as Justin Holbrook’s baby brigade proved there is bright future on the Gold Coast in a 26-all trial draw.

With 13 top-liners watching from the sideline, this was an opportunity for the young Titans to shine at Cbus Super Stadium – and so they did.

There was no David Fifita, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui or AJ Brimson for the Titans against the star-studded Broncos but it didn’t matter.

After 67 minutes the Titans led 26-8 and were by far the better team against an error-riddled Brisbane, who scored three late tries to salvage a draw.

The Titans are chasing back-to-back finals appearances this year and this was a promising start ahead of next Saturday’s full strength trial against the Warriors at Redcliffe.

YOUNG TALENT TIME

The Titans have some of the best young players in the game coming through their ranks and they proved it on the senior stage.

Rugby convert Sosefo “Jojo” Fifita has barely played a game of league but was far from outclassed by Broncos rival Kotoni Staggs in his Titans debut.

Flying winger Treymain Spry was released by the club a year ago but has found his way back and scored a double.

Klese Haas, younger brother of Broncos star Payne Haas, is a damaging backrower with sublime footwork who threatened with his first carry.

Fa’asuamaleaui’s brother Iszac was also having his first hit-out for the Titans.

Then there is young fullback Jaylan de Groot, who set up a try with his first touch and scored another later on.

These are the types of players which set up long-term success for a club and the Titans have the right building blocks in place.

READY FOR THE RIGOURS?

The Titans have some great attacking prospects in Toby Sexton and Jayden Campbell but are they ready for the rigours of a full NRL season?

Campbell, 22, has only seven first grade games next to his name ahead of his second NRL season and played an encouraging 40 minutes.

The son of Titans legend Preston Campbell has some of the sharpest footwork in the game, but at 80kg he doesn’t have the size and strength to beat defenders with power.

The Titans are banking on Campbell playing the entire season, which could be a big ask considering where he is at in his development.

The same goes for Sexton, who punched out a solid 40 minutes and scored a try in his first appearance of the year.

The 20-year-old has the tools to be an NRL halfback but he is also in the infancy of his career, having only played four games.

After releasing Jamal Fogarty to Canberra, the Titans don’t have a standout back-up halfback in their squad, meaning there will be plenty of pressure on Sexton to fire all year.

Sexton and Campbell certainly have the talent for this level – but playing to their potential for an entire gruelling NRL season will be tough.