NRL 2021: Gold Coast Titans win 44-6 over Canberra Raiders | Match Report

‘We were outplayed. We were poor. It’s unacceptable.’ It doesn’t get any more damning than that as Ricky Stuart layed out some brutal truths as the Raiders freefall continued.

The Raiders were embarrassed at home, as the Titans secured their equal biggest win in club history. Picture: Getty Images.

A shattered Ricky Stuart concedes he is part of the problem at Canberra as the Raiders’ season continues to implode following an embarrassing 44-6 loss to Gold Coast at GIO Stadium on Saturday night.

It was the game in which Canberra was supposed to turn its season around but instead the campaign is in ruins after an insipid performance on a freezing night in the capital.

The Gold Coast led 22-0 at half-time and this time went on with the demolition job after blowing a similar advantage against the Sea Eagles a fortnight ago.

The win ended a four-game losing streak and equalled the club’s biggest-ever winning margin.

But all the talk centred on how bad the Raiders were and how far they have fallen.

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The Raiders were embarrassed at home, as the Titans secured their equal biggest win in club history. Picture: Getty Images.

Stuart is one of the game’s great fighters but even he looked lost for answers as he tried to explain the latest debacle, refusing to absolve himself of blame.

“We haven’t got enough players playing well and I’m in that, too,” he said.

“Coaches have got to coach well and players have got to play well.

“We’re not a shadow of ourselves in regards of where we need to be.

“We were outplayed. We were poor. It’s unacceptable.

“It’s very disappointing and I’m as embarrassed as anyone.

“These poor people who come out here and brave these conditions…I feel sorry for our hardened supporters.

“It’s sad to put on that performance.”

Stuart has finally run out of patience with a host of out-of-form players and promised changes ahead of next Thursday’s clash with in-form Manly.

He said: “I’ve got to find some energy and the only way to find energy is with new faces.”

Queensland Origin forward David Fifita was the catalyst for Gold Coast’s big win, shrugging off four defenders to score the opening try and causing chaos with every touch.

He spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for late and unnecessary contact on Canberra half-back Sam Williams deep in the first half, but incredibly his side scored three tries – and 16 points in total - during his absence.

The Titans and Raiders have struggled in recent weeks, but the Gold Coast have revived their season with a dominant win. Picture: Getty Images.

Canberra conceded 11 line-breaks and missed 69 tackles in 80 minutes.

The ease in which the Titans scored the majority of their eight tries defied belief.

The embarrassing defeat sees the Green Machine drop to 11th and deeper into quicksand.

The loss was their first against the Titans since 2018, ending a five-game winning run, and a poor way to mark milestone matches for Jordan Rapana (150th NRL game), Williams (100th) and Ryan Sutton (50th).

Canberra has lost nine out of its last 11 games and appears incapable of stopping the rot.

Gold Coast is now just two points outside the top eight and seemingly back in the hunt for a finals berth after a mid-season slump.

The Raiders have won just two of their last 11 games. Picture: Getty Images.

Jack not so nimble

With both Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai to miss Origin III through injury, Jack Wighton is a certainty to be picked in the halves for NSW.

But his performance against the Gold Coast wouldn’t have given Blues coach Brad Fittler much comfort.

Wighton tried hard enough but there a lack of polish on his game, especially his last tackle options.

NSW adviser Greg Alexander implored the No.6 to shelve the fancy stuff and get back to basics.

“Jack just needs to keep it simple and get back to running the ball,” he said.

“Do what you’re good at and play like a five-eighth, not a half-back.”

Wighton’s opposite Ash Taylor was outstanding, as was Titans halves partner and co-captain Jamal Fogarty.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Gold Coast Titans win 44-6 over Canberra Raiders | Match Report