Sapphire Series R8 live stream: Titans will be without Cathrine Tuivaiti for clash with Cougars

The Cougars scored the last six goals to make life interesting, but their late surge shouldn’t detract from the quality of the Titans win. Relive the action from the Ruby and Sapphire Series LIVE games.

Gold Coast Titans took the heavyweight Ruby Series battle against ACU Cougars in a result befitting their lofty ladder positions.

Third-placed Titans jumped out to a six-goal lead with three minutes to go before second-placed Cougars closed hard to make life very interesting.

The Titans eventually took the game 53-50.

Netball Queensland Sapphire Series Round 8 - ACU Cougars v Gold Coast Titans (Ruby)

PREVIEW

Former Silver Ferns star Cathrine Tuivaiti has left a massive void to fill in the Gold Coast Titans’ front court, however coach Temepara Bailey has declared her legacy will remain through the young goalshooters who have fed off the veteran’s experience.

The 36-year-old has helped steer the Glitter Strip club to the cusp of a maiden Sapphire Series title, orchestrating a 5-1 start to the campaign.

But the Titans will feel the pinch of life without their star goaler when they face the ACU Cougars on Saturday in a classic battle of second against third.

The clash will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV, with the clubs battling in the Ruby Series as a curtain raiser from 4pm. See the full LIVE STREAM schedule below.

The Titans are aiming to bounce back this weekend after losing to Ipswich Jets in a top-of-the-table clash last weekend.

Tuivaiti is expected to return to Italy with her family, having reached the end of her Gold Coast stint.

However, Bailey believes the impact her star shooter has had on developing prospects Josie Bingham and Talitah Faifai will ensure the Titans remain in the hunt for the 2023 silverware.

“It’s fantastic that the league is structured in such a way that you can bring in a player of Cathrine’s calibre to be part of the Sapphire Series competition,” she said.

“We’ve got some wonderful local talent at the Titans, and to be able to have a player of Cathrine’s talent and experience to help guide their development has been fantastic.

Cathrine Tuivaiti has finished her time with the Sapphire Series club.

“I know our young shooters, in particular Josie Bingham and Talitah Faifai, will have learnt plenty from their time in the circle with Cathrine.

“She’s also worked with our Titans Academy players. It’s another benefit of our pathway program at the Titans that our young developing players can gain experience like this.

“As a club we want to thank Cathrine for her time on and off court with us and wish her well on her return to Italy.”

The Titans will now be on the look out for a replacement player to fill Tuivaiti’s absence for the rest of the competition.

But irrespective of who they bring into the fold, Tuivaiti believes the current group has the makings of a premiership force as they seek to dominate the Sapphire Series landscape before eyeing off a move into the Super Netball.

“The potential of this group is huge. Being able to watch the girls train so hard, and adapt to a playing style they weren’t always familiar with, has been phenomenal,” Tuivaiti said.

“While I have always loved this game, this particular group has managed to spark a little something else in my heart that I didn’t know I needed.”

Cougars star Lia Woolnough.

PLAYER TO WATCH

One player on everyone’s radar this week is Cougars’ skipper Lia Woolnough.

The wing defence/goal defence will go up against Titans’ zippy midcourt with one goal: to shut them down and try and inspire a victory.

After a less-than-ideal first half of the season, Woolnough is no doubt determined to get her side back to top form.

And what better game to do it than against the first team to take away their long undefeated streak earlier in the season.

Young Titans player Josie Bingham.

MATCH-UP OF THE ROUND

While the Titans look to fill the gap of Tuivaiti’s departure, 17-year-old Tahlitah FaiFai will step up once again after a stunning performance in the round three clash where Cougars suffered their first loss since 2020.

As the youngest shooter in the Titans’ ranks, FaiFai played a crucial role in her side’s close victory and has since continued to shine under pressure.

With the experience of goal attack Josie Bingham by her side, we expect FaiFai to unleash her best against the Cougars’ defensive lineup, which includes Lillyana Rennie.

Rennie has a significant height advantage, but don’t let that be the decider.

After seven rounds, FairFai has proven herself capable against the competition’s strongest defenders, with quick prelims and a vertical jump that cannot go unnoticed.

Originally published as Sapphire Series R8 live stream: Titans will be without Cathrine Tuivaiti for clash with Cougars