Titans v Warriors: Five things we learned

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED: Titans flyer’s fancy footwork stuns Warriors superstar, young playmaker continues to impress and more. WATCH THE VIDEO

Titans playmaker AJ Brimson takes on the Warriors defence. Picture: Getty Images

1. TITANS five-eighth AJ Brimson is one of the NRL’s hottest young playmakers. Brimson has been a success story for the Gold Coast in a disappointing season and showcased his talent with a brilliant solo effort in just his 10th NRL game.

AJ Brimson has been a success story for the Titans. Picture: Getty Images

2. BACK-UP Gold Coast hooker Mitch Rein should be the Titans’ starting No. 9. Rein has played all 19 games for the Titans this year and has outperformed Nathan Peats despite being paid about $400,000 less. He deserves to start.

3. THE Warriors are the NRL’s greatest disappointments. New Zealand could have cemented eighth place and a finals berth by beating the Titans but imploded after leading 12-8 at half-time in what was a typical Warriors performance.

4. TITANS winger Phillip Sami has some of the sharpest feet in the game. Sami’s “ankle-breaking” step on Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was brilliant to watch, especially considering RTS is one of the NRL’s best steppers.

Watch video of Phillip Sami’s fantastic footwork in the player at the top of the page

Phillip Sami showed sharp feet to stand up Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Picture: Getty Images

5. THE Titans will be sweating on the availability of captain Ryan James and prop Jarrod Wallace following a suspected “crusher tackle” on Warriors prop James Gavet. The incident looked innocuous but the NRL is keen to stamp those tackles out.