NRL will review Titans coach Justin Holbrook’s referee comments

The Titans choked against South Sydney and now Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook is facing a potential fine from the NRL after criticising officials.

Justin Holbrook put the blowtorch on referee Chris Sutton and The Bunker. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The NRL will review comments made about officials by Titans coach Justin Holbrook following the Gold Coast’s 40-30 loss to South Sydney on Friday night.

Holbrook refused to be critical of his players after the Titans squandered a 24-10 half-time lead at Cbus Super Stadium.

He instead put the blowtorch on referee Chris Sutton and The Bunker after the Titans were pinged with five set restarts as South Sydney produced a 30-6 second half demolition to win their sixth straight game.

It was the second week in a row the Titans had conceded a glut of points after they fell 36-0 to Manly in Round 6.

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In his post-match press conference, Holbrook appeared to insinuate the Titans were up against it because they were playing one of the NRL’s top teams.

An NRL figure said Holbrook’s comments would be reviewed on Monday, with the prospect of a fine or warning possible after he appeared to question the integrity of officials.

“You need everything to go right to win games of footy,” Holbrook said.

“Even right from the start, we had to use a captain’s challenge to get a try and I thought just because we’re playing a good side, you can cop a lot of harsh decisions and six-agains (sic) for no reason.

“Things like that I find difficult to take but I’ve got to cop it.”

Titans coach Justin Holbrook in happier times. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

When asked if he thought the refereeing was one-sided, Holbrook said: “Thanks for asking (chuckle). I find it a bit more difficult, that’s all.”

Holbrook was also critical of a lengthy stoppage after Titans lock Tyrone Peachey scored to make it 30-all with 10 minutes to go.

A minor melee erupted following the try, prompting an unnecessarily long delay as the Bunker reviewed footage and Sutton warned the captains.

“We got a bit of momentum with that try from Peach and the game’s meant to quicken up but we stop for 15 minutes (exaggerated),” he said.

“I thought ‘that’s terrific, there goes our momentum’.

“Souths got a 10-minute break then a rest at a scrum. The new rule is if you have a cramp you go off the field.

“They’re the things I’m talking about. We just couldn’t get a chance.

“Score a try, kick a goal, get back and let them kick off to us. The game must have stopped for 10 minutes. It must have gone over the timeslot – that second half must have gone for two hours.

“There’s too many officials there chit-chatting – just get on with the game.”

The Titans blew a 24-10 lead against South Sydney. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

After an encouraging start to the season, the Titans are now sitting on the edge of the top eight with a 3-4 record heading into Friday night’s derby against the battling Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

It will be try-scoring machine David Fifita’s first appearance in Brisbane since he quit the Broncos to sign a $3.5 million deal with Gold Coast.

They will once again be without suspended Origin star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui while centre Patrick Herbert (calf) and prop Sam Lisone (pec) are not expected to play.

The Rabbitohs scored 20 unanswered points in a 13-minute blitz to sink the Titans and Holbrook said his team had to be more resilient.

“We’ve got to hang in there and defend better, that’s what we’ve got to do,” he said.

“We’ve got to work harder to hang in during those tough periods and not let the game get right away from us.

“It was a really tough period and we didn’t do a good enough job of swinging the momentum of the game.”