The Bulletin looks at five things we learned from the Titan’s 46-6 thumping from Parramatta

The Bulletin looks at five things we learned from the Titan’s 46-6 thumping from Parramatta on Sunday.

The Bulletin looks at five things we learned from the Titan’s 46-6 thumping from Parramatta on Sunday.

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NO MAGIC WAND FOR HOLBROOK

Long-suffering Titans fans were hoping Justin Holbrook would be the club’s messiah when he arrived in October but the opening two rounds have shown it will be a long, arduous journey back to the finals.

While he enjoyed a record-breaking Super League stint with St Helens, Holbrook is a first-year NRL coach and doesn’t have a magic wand.

ONE KEY TO UNLOCKING COAST’S POTENTIAL - HOLBROOK

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS

The Titans needed the loss of captain Kevin Proctor before kick-off like a hole in the head, while midgame injuries to Tyrone Roberts and Dale Copley further stretched their resources.

The club has endured more than its fair share of bad luck over the past two seasons and they need that to change.

Tyrone Roberts leaves the field after the Titans’ 46-6 loss to Parramatta on Sunday. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

INJURY COULD BE BLESSING IN DISGUISE

An ankle injury to five-eighth Roberts may finally force the Titans to experiment with their halves combination.

The scrumbase partnership of Roberts and Ash Taylor just hasn’t been the same since the former’s return from England and with Tanah Boyd waiting in the wings, now is a perfect opportunity to see what he can do.

WHY SEASON DELAY COULD BE BLESSING FOR TEST STAR

CORONAVIRUS NOT HELPING THE CAUSE

Another issue not helping the Titans is the postponement of the Intrust Super Cup, with players like Boyd, Darius Farmer, Erin Clark and Greg Leleisiuao unable to push their NRL selection claims.

Bringing in players lacking match fitness would be a gamble for Holbrook.

Gold Coast hooker Mitch Rein. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

NO.9 STILL A PROBLEM AREA

Mitch Rein fought off pre-season challenges from Nathan Peats and Clark to win the hooking role in Rounds 1 and 2 but his form has been patchy.

Holbrook would be reluctant to push the panic button so early but he needs more from Rein out of dummy half.