Warriors smash second string Titans in NRL trial in Whangerei

THE Warriors have put the hurt on a second string Titans side in their first trial of the season, running out 40-18 winners in Whangerei.

WHANGAREI, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 13: Ben Henry of the Warriors is tackled during the NRL Trial Match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans at Toll Stadium on February 13, 2016 in Whangarei, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

THE Titans’ depth has some work to do in the next three weeks, after they went down 40-18 to the Warriors this afternoon.

The young Gold Coast side failed to make the most of their trial opportunity in New Zealand, despite the fact that many of them could be called upon by the Titans to play NRL this year.

While they showed sparks of promise in attack, with playmakers Jamal Fogarty and Sam Irwin doing what they could to execute exciting plays, the squad of under-20s and Intrust Super Cup players could not match the powerful Warriors side.

The likes of Issac Luke, Manu Vatuvei and Charlie Gubb took to the field for the home team, helping the Warriors hold control of the match for most of the 80 minutes, with a particularly impressive second half.

Despite the Gold Coast going into halftime only 8 points behind, scrappy defence allowed the Warriors to run away with the game.

Exciting forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner notched up his third four-pointer only minutes into the second stanza, after a beautifully executed offload from Gubb.

Prop Bunty Afoa then extended the lead in the 59th minute, making huge strides to score his second try of the match.

The Titans did well to not throw in the towel early, as winger Tyrone Roberts-Davis scored a try and set up another for Morgan Boyle, but the Warriors had the last say when Semisi Tyrell barrelled over for his second on the buzzer.

Bunty Afoa scored two tries for the Warriors.

Winger Blake Anderson and second-rower Matt Robinson helped get the Titans on the scoreboard in the first half, thanks to efforts from Irwin and Fogarty.

The two halves were the best on the field for the Gold Coast but will have to work on their defence if they want a shot at first grade this year, with regular halfback Kane Elgey sidelined for the season.

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 40 (Raymond Faitala-Mariner 3, Bunty Afoa 2,

Semisi Tyrell 2 tries; Ata Hingano 4, Issac Luke 2 goals) def.

GOLD COAST TITANS 18 (Blake Anderson, Matt Robinson, Tyrone

Roberts-Davis, Morgan Boyle tries; Jamal Fogarty 1 goal)