By Nick Wright
A day that was billed as the final audition for a host of State of Origin hopefuls instead became the dawning of Keano Kini as a genuine NRL star of the future.
Lauded as a mini Roger Tuivasa-Sheck when he dazzled onlookers in a preseason trial last year, the diminutive fullback produced the game of his life on Sunday as the Gold Coast Titans shocked the Brisbane Broncos 36-34.
Keano Kini for the Gold Coast Titans.Credit: NRL Photos
Stuck behind injured duo AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell, the 20-year-old gave a true glimpse into his potential in Magic Round last week with a try-scoring 221 running metre performance in a narrow loss to Newcastle.
But it was against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium that he presented Gold Coast coach Des Hasler with a genuine headache for who dons the No.1 jumper once all his troops are back on deck.
Finishing with 167 metres, three linebreak assists, three try assists and four goals, Kini was the mastermind behind the Titans’ brilliant comeback, having trailed by eight points in the second half before scoring three straight tries to hit the front.
“No doubt I thought he was probably the best on field,” Hasler said.
“I’m really pleased for Keano because he works so hard at his game, he’s a really good kid. It was just rewards for him today, he was everywhere – they’re great selection headaches to have.”
Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans
Broncos 34 (S Cobbo, D Mariner, C Oates, P Haas, E Mam, B Piakura tries; J Madden five goals) defeated by Titans 36 (T Francis, B Fermor, E Clark, C Randall, K Palasia, B Kelly, A Khan-Pereira tries; K Kini four goals)
By contrast, Brisbane coach Kevin Walters will be left tearing his hair out at the ill-discipline of his side, which missed a host of tries thanks to handling errors.
Either side of half-time, Brisbane squandered chances from close range, while the Gold Coast’s last three tries came on the back of Bronco mistakes and penalties conceded.
Their 14 errors to Gold Coast’s six proved the difference, while soft defence also enabled Erin Clark to steamroll through four defenders 10 metres out in the shadows of half-time and created a two-man overlap for Chris Randall to cross early in the second stanza.
“I just didn’t think we were at the races today, we just tried to shoot out against the Titans, which is probably never going to work,” Walters said.
“We just weren’t ourselves. Sometimes it’s hard to explain, I don’t have any answers now, just a lack of effort. Defence is a big one for us, and that was sort of nonexistent.
“Some of the tries – the one on half-time – you’ve got to stop them. Actually, all the first-half tries were pretty soft, so that’s a sign that we’re not there physically or mentally defensively.”
Walsh cements Maroons jumper
Any concerns lingering over Walsh’s fitness ahead of State of Origin have well and truly been eradicated, as the Broncos fullback did all he could to dismantle the Titans.
Reece Walsh did all he could for the Broncos.Credit: NRL Photos
Ruled out of Magic Round with a niggling knee concern, Walsh was at the heart of Brisbane’s attack on the eve of Billy Slater’s Queensland selections.
It was the livewire fullback who led the Broncos to an early 12-point lead, and who got them back into the contest with a late try assist for Selwyn Cobbo as they trailed by a converted try.
He finished with 134 running metres, two linebreaks, two try assists, and five linebreak assists.
“He was good in patches. Defensively, he’s got some work to do with our organisation of our defence, but that’s stuff we can work on,” Walters said.
“That wasn’t really an attitude thing with him, that’s something we’ve been trying to get better at all year, and we weren’t very good today.”
Titans pair thrust into the mix
Despite some reports suggesting David Fifita was no certainty to retain his place in the Maroons back row, he silenced his critics in emphatic fashion.
It was a typically damaging cross-field run that opened up numbers for the Titans on the right-hand side to score their first points through debutant winger Tony Francis.
Fifita even provided the deft final pass for Randall’s try, going on to finish with 233 metres, two try assists, two linebreak assists, and six tackle busts before leaving the field in the final five minutes for a head injury assessment, which Hasler confirmed he passed.
David Fifita is assessed for a head injury.Credit: NRL Photos
Meanwhile, Moeaki Fotuaika turned in a performance that should have him locked in for a spot on the Maroons’ bench.
The Tongan international needed to take on a greater role at clubland without Titans skipper and Maroons star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, and he carried the ball with the sort of ferocity that would have Slater salivating.
His first stint lasted almost an hour in a remarkable sign of the tank he possesses, finishing his last audition with 131 metres.
“That’s the plan, hopefully [to be selected], but if not, I’ll just focus on my performances here at the Titans and whatever happens, happens,” Fotuaika said.
“I thought I started the year slow, but I’ve slowly worked my way back into how I usually play footy … if I get the call, then I get the call.”
Mam’s mixed bag in last chance
Tom Dearden appears to be the frontrunner for the Maroons’ five-eighth jumper vacated by the injured Cameron Munster, but Ezra Mam had one final chance to impress upon Slater that he was ready for a maiden appearance.
After a slow start to the season, the 21-year-old has hit a greater gear without halfback Adam Reynolds (ruptured bicep), and his instinctive assist for Deine Mariner’s penalty try showcased the freedom with which he is playing.
Latching onto an offload from Cobbo, who leapt above Alofiana Khan-Pereira to reel in a final play bomb, Mam placed a pinpoint chip back over the top for his winger, only for Mariner to be taken off the ball and awarded a penalty try.
Ezra Mam scores for the Brisbane Broncos.Credit: NRL Photos
It was his ninth try assist in six games, and he then showed incredible instincts and speed to snatch at a Tom Weaver attacking kick and streak 90 metres to score.
However, he will be left to rue seven missed tackles and an unforced dropped ball on the Titans line in the dying stage, in his quest to unseat Dearden from top of the pecking order.
“I think, as a player, the consistency is what you show over the year, and I think, as a team, we’re probably – Ez included – disappointed with that performance,” Broncos lock Pat Carrigan, who was placed on report for a high shot, said.
“They’re hard things to look past, especially if you’re selected in an Origin team going on the back of a performance like that.
“In terms of Ezra, he’s shown what he’s done, he’s been a quality player over the last two or three years, and if he gets picked, he thoroughly deserves it. But I know he’ll be just as disappointed as I am about today’s performance.”