Titans v Warriors: Five things we learned

A COSTLY brain snap, a rookie thrown to the wolves, a worrying Gold Coast trend and more — here’s what we learned from the Titans’ loss to the Warriors.

Konrad Hurrell on the charge for the Titans.

A COSTLY brain snap, a rookie thrown to the wolves, a worrying Gold Coast trend and more — here’s what we learned from the Titans’ loss to the Warriors.

1. Titans forward Jarrod Wallace produced one of the great brain snaps in appearing to shoulder charge Blake Ayshford.

Wallace was expected to on Monday be named in Queensland’s Origin II team but he could be rubbed out of the game if he is charged by the match review committee over the incident.

2. Nathan Peats was good enough to play 80 minutes in his State of Origin debut for NSW but was shifted out of dummy-half against the Warriors. Peats made way for rookie utility Karl Lawton and ended up in the back-row.

SHOULDER CHARGE: Titan Wallace’s Origin dream in doubt

Konrad Hurrell on the charge for the Titans.

3. The Warriors have got their season back on track with two wins in three weeks and five-eighth Kieran Foran looks to have avoided a serious injury. Foran limped from the field late in the game and looked to be in severe pain but his badly corked thigh is not expected to see him miss any football.

4. Titans mammoth Morgan Boyle is an exciting talent but he is not an edge backrower. In just his sixth NRL game, the 110kg Boyle was targeted relentlessly by Warriors ball-playing wizard Foran and came unstuck numerous times. Boyle has been thrown to the wolves by playing in a defensively challenging position.

5. The Titans are in serious trouble needing to win eight of their last 11 matches to squeeze into the finals. Going on Saturday’s effort, that will not happen. The Gold Coast lacked energy in defence and then struggled for cohesion in attack. They need to kick into gear quickly.