Four sin binned in wild brawl as Titans end finals exile, thrash Warriors

The Gold Coast Titans have ended their finals drought but it’s happened in wild scenes as one of four sin binned stars flipped off the crowd.

Wild finish on the Gold Coast. Photo: FOX SPORTS

The Gold Coast Titans are back in the NRL Finals for the first time since 2016 after carving up the New Zealand Warriors 44-0 on the Gold Coast.

The Titans needed to win by 11 to make the finals and easily accounted for the Warriors, and will now play the Sydney Roosters in an elimination final next week..

After a second long season away from New Zealand due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Warriors just had to play out the last 80 minutes of the season.

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But as the Titans piled on the tries — including two for wrecking ball David Fifita to become the highest season try scorer in Titans history with 17 — the tensions boiled over.

At one point, the Warriors had three players in the sin bin as tensions overflowed.

With 16 minutes left, a scuffle broke out between the players after the Titans pushed a Warriors player into touch.

Fox League commentator Warren Smith said that the Titans needed to be careful as they had a big game against the Sydney Roosters next week.

But as the vision continues, the Warriors’ Jazz Tevaga ran from out of nowhere to hit Titans winger Phillip Sami who was watching the melee from afar.

Why Tevaga was sin binned. Photo: FOX SPORTS

Referee Ashley Klein had no choice but to sin bin him, telling him “you had nothing to do with that, you’re in the bin, do not run a distance”.

Warren Smith called it “the most obvious sin bin you’ll ever see”.

After kicking for touch, another fight was sparked a minute later.

Warriors prop Matt Lodge hit Titans five-eighth Tyrone Peachey incredibly late with a big hit, sparking another melee.

Fellow New Zealand prop Kane Evans then appeared to throw punches.

“There’s some insanity here on the Gold Coast this afternoon,” Smith said. “The Warriors may have thought, we can’t win the match but we can win the fight. This is old school.”

Kane Evans with the punch. Photo: FOX SPORTS

Lodge hit Peachey in back play. Photo: FOX SPORTS

Lodge was sin binned for the late hit and Evans was sin binned for a punch.

The Titans’ Jarrod Wallace was then sin binned for running into the fight as well.

Klein then warned Titans skipper Jamal Fogarty: “I will not cop any more infringements from here on in for foul play. Jamal, you have a lot to play for, control your players.”

But Lodge was furious and was stalking down the sideline trying to get closer to Wallace, according to Fox League’s Jake Duke.

He was then escorted to the sheds but not before copping a torrent of abuse from fans.

He responded by giving the crowd the middle finger as he fumed walking from the field.

Matt Lodge wasn't happy. Photo: FOX SPORTS

Former first grader turned boxing promoter George Rose had a message for the boys as the fans reacted to the incidents.

Gee the boys are fiery today! There’s only one way to settle this fair and square lads. Give me a call we’ll have it sorted before the years out #NRLTitansWarriors

— George Rose (@gorgeousgrose) September 5, 2021

Know the Warriors have every right to be frustrated at several things, but Matt Lodge and Kane Evans have just fair dinkum embarrassed themselves. No other way to put it.

And honestly, are we surprised? #NRLTitansWarriors

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) September 5, 2021

It's an end-of-season sin-bin clearance sale. Everyone must go. #NRLTitansWarriors

— Tim Barrow (@TheBarrow) September 5, 2021

Unforgettable performance from the Warriors. Put this in a museum. #NRLTitansWarriors

— Alexander Grant 💉 (@AlexGrantOz) September 5, 2021

Long-time @NZWarriors fans can guide me here. Worst across-the-board, tick-every-negative-box performance ever?
#NRLTitansWarriors

— Craig Norenbergs (@CraigNorenbergs) September 5, 2021

The result locks in the finals series with the Titans to play the Roosters for the fourth finals campaign in the club’s history and the first since 2016.