Titans v Raiders: Five things we learned

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED: Gold Coast’s season is sinking fast, the form winger of the NRL and an ominous warning to the Blues.

Raiders forward Josh Papalii breaks the tackle of Titans halfback Ashley Taylor.

EX-Gold Coaster Jordan Rapana returned to haunt his former club in Canberra’s 42-16 rout at Cbus Super Stadium.

Here’s five things we learned from the Raiders’ emphatic win over the Titans.

1. Gold Coast’s season is sinking quicker than the Titanic. Premierships aren’t won in April but seasons can be derailed at this time of year and the Titans’ injury crisis is killing their campaign. Incredibly, the Coast had $4 million worth of talent — or 44 per cent of their 25-man full-time squad — on the sidelines. Neil Henry’s troops were rated dark horses for the top six this season but having now slumped to 1-5, the Titans are in wooden-spoon territory.

2. The push for Ashley Taylor to be Queensland’s next halfback is far too premature. Taylor is unquestionably talented with an exciting offensive game, but he needs to improve his defence to be the finished article at representative level. The Titans No. 7 missed five tackles in the first-half alone as he battled to halt the rampaging Josh Papalii.

Raiders forward Josh Papalii breaks the tackle of Titans halfback Ashley Taylor.

3. Raiders sensation Jordan Rapana is the form winger in the game. The ex-Titan returned to haunt his former club last night, posting a hat-trick inside 25 minutes. He finished with 258 metres, five line breaks and a remarkable 16 tackle busts. Queensland coach Kevin Walters must be ruing Rapana’s decision to turn his back on the Maroons last year and pledge his allegiance to New Zealand.

4. The Titans have to urgently address their awful starts to games. For the sixth consecutive week, the Gold Coast conceded the first points and while stuck at the blocks, Canberra had bolted to a 12-0 lead. The Titans are showing great heart to fight their way back into games but they need to show that desperation in the opening exchanges.

Jordan Rapana scores a try for the Raiders. Picture: Nigel Hallett

5. Maroons hitman Josh Papalii is entering the Origin period in blockbusting form. The Canberra monster sported a Mr T-style haircut and the ‘T’ should stand for Tormenter. The 110kg powerhouse made four tackle busts, charged for 153 metres and scored a try to sound an ominous warning to the Blues.