SuperCoach NRL: Payne Haas disaster and 20 SuperCoach winners and losers from Super Saturday
An early injury cruelled the day of must-have forward Payne Haas, while the high-flying Jayden Campbell failed to fire. See the 20 SuperCoach winners and loser from Super Saturday.
Super Saturday was full of upsets and surprises.
Gold Coast annihilated the Broncos 36-0 in the second half to ignite its finals hopes and crush those of last year’s grand finalist.
In Melbourne, the Dragons stunned the Storm for their first win on Victorian soil in a quarter of a century. It also mean the ‘Red V’ move into the top eight as they solidified themselves is a genuine finals chance.
As they so often have, the Sharks started poorly at PointsBet Stadium but rallied to secure a crucial 20-6 win in a scrappy affair after holding the Bunnies scoreless in the second half.
Discover all of Saturday’s SuperCoach winners and losers below, and relive all our live updates and analysis
SUPERCOACH WINNERS
1. Jojo Fifita - 140 points: The Titans winger played arguably the best game of his career, with three tries, three linebreaks, a try assist and two try contributions.
2. Keano Kini - 129 points: Enjoyed a strong start before being sent to the sin bin for a professional foul. But the Titans dynamo had an immediate impact on his return, scoring with his first touch. Ended the game with two tries, two try assists, two linebreaks, two linebreak assists. He is playing so well that he could even keep the No.1 jersey when AJ Brimson is fit.
3. Harry Grant - 106 points: Grant spearheaded the potent Storm spine from hooker and was superb as he crossed for two tries. It was his first ton since round 11 and a much-needed boost given he had lost close to $150,000 from his starting price.
4. Reece Walsh - 83 points: Had a monumental first half of footy, scoring two quick tries early, before crashing back to earth in the second half. But with 83 points he still goes down as a winner here.
5. Kieran Foran - 99 points: The Titans veteran continues to wind back the clock, falling just short of a tonne before recounts thanks to three try assists and three try contributions. But sadly still not really an option in SuperCoach classic given his inconsistency
6. Beau Fermor - 91 points: While David Fifita struggled, Fermor was very involved in the Titans second half resurgence, with a try and two try contributions, on top of a whopping 56 points in pure base.
7. Jaydn Su’A - 96 points: What a massive showing from the massive POD. Su’A was unreal for the Dragons and managed a double to reward the 1.6 per cent of coaches that own him.
8. Kayal Iro - 93 points: Iro rewarded his plethora of owners with a great performance. He bobbed up for a try when he got on the end of Braydon Trindall’s grubber in the second-half which gave him a very handy boost.
9. Jye Gray - 87 points: The Souths pocket rocket no. 1 was on track for a monster score given he had 74 points through the first 40 minutes but managed just 13 in the second half. Had an electric start and scored the Rabbitohs’ only try.
10. Damien Cook - 85 points: Cook was at his usual best for Souths and crucially snuck over his breakeven of 76 for the 10 per cent of coaches that own him. Was his second time passing the 80-point mark in the past five weeks.
SUPERCOACH LOSERS
1. Payne Haas - 17 points: The second most purchased player this week lasted just 10 minutes before being forced off the field with what could be a season ending foot injury. With trades running low for many SuperCoaches this is a devastating blow for everyone who brought him in this week.
2. Ezra Mam - 11 points: Likewise also went off in the second half with a suspected ankle injury and while he wasn’t ruled out immediately, he was unable to get back on the field. While not as highly owned as Haas, his injury is a blow to the more than 10% of owners.
3. Ryan Papenhuyzen - 11 points: Papenhuyzen was below his best for the Storm and largely unsighted as he registered his lowest score of the year. It was a far cry from his 94 points last week.
4. David Fifita - 53 points: While not the worst score, owners would have been disappointed with how basically all the Titans points came down the right edge, with Fifita not registering any attacking stats.
5. Jayden Campbell - 48 points: Like Fifita, almost all the points came down the Titans right edge. Looked to have scored a try that would have netted him a much bigger score, but the Bunker pulled it back. With a breakeven of 121, Campbell looks set for a massive price drop.
6. Tyran Wishart - 20 points: Wishart is sitting in over 10 per cent of teams but he was disappointing in the Storm loss to score just the 10 points. Has had a very up-and-down season in the world of SuperCoach.
7. Jesse Arthars - 17 points: Still in 7.2% of teams, Arthars had been struggling recently, with a 5RA of 28 heading into this game, and he was little more than a passenger against the Titans, with just 15 points in base stats.
8. Jacob Gagai - 24 points: After a promising stretch across round 16 and 18 where he scored back-to-back tons, Gagai’s scoring has plummeted. Missed his monster breakeven by 101 points.
9. Josiah Karapani - 14 points: Broncos 18th man Karapani managed just 18 points, but shoutout to one poor punter who had him as his loophole captain option and was burnt.
10. Tepai Moeroa - 8 points: In just his third outing of the season, Moeroa registered his lowest score yet with only eight points to his name.
FULLTIME: SHARKS 20-6 RABBITOHS
The Sharks have been out of form and weren’t at their best, but it was enough to get the job done at PointsBet Stadium. After a sloppy start, Cronulla rallied to put together a dominant second-half in which they held Souths scoreless to run away 20-6 victors.
It was just Cronulla’s third win in the past two months as they consolidated their spot in the top four despite the testing run.
Turning to SuperCoach, popular Shark Kayal Iro pleased the 67,000 coaches that own him to lead all comers with a 93 point showing.
Souths fullback Jye Gray had minimal impact in the second half but cashed in on his fast start to score 87 points, and Damien Cook was also good with 85.
SUPERCOACH TOP PERFORMERS
77TH MINUTE: GAME OVER
With just three minutes to play, Souths hopes of making it three upsets from three today look to be dead and buried given it trails by 14 points.
The Rabbitohs have been lacklustre in the second half after they made a strong start at took a 6-4 lead into half-time.
It comes as Cronulla’s Jesse Ramien passed his HIA and is set to return to the field.
67TH MINUTE: SHARKS EXTEND LEAD
Just minutes after he was the finisher, Cronulla halfback Braydon Trindall turned creator to assist Kayal Iro’s try after he got on the end of Trinall’s pinpoint grubber.
Daniel Atkinson took over the goalkicking duties from Trindall - who had kicked one from three attempts - and nailed it from the sideline. Trindall could be seen limping after the try and seems to be in some discomfort but is playing through the apparent pain.
The try came at a time when two Sharks outside backs in Jesse Ramien and Sam Stonestreet were both off the field for a HIA, however Stonestreet has passed his and is set to return on the coming minutes.
65TH MINUTE: HIA’S CRUEL SHARKS BACKS
Jesse Ramien has been ordered from the field to be assessed for a HIA after he was collected high by Taane Milne. Milne’s shoulder made direct contact to the head of Ramien as he was brought to ground being tackled. Interestingly, Milne wasn’t sin binned for the hit despite the direct disadvantage the Sharks have copped as a result of Ramien being ordered from the field.
The timing couldn’t be any worse given winger Sam Stonestreet is already off being assessed for a HIA too.
59TH MINUTE: TRINDALL SCORES
What a turnaround for Braydon Trindall. Five minutes ago he was incurring the wrath of every Sharks supporter as his brain explosion handed Souths a try. The Bunker found a knock on in the build-up so that was disallowed, and now he’s scored at the other end just minutes later to extend Cronulla’s lead.
The long-range try came off the back of a bruising run from Siosifa Talakai who bulldozed Michael Chee Kam before putting Kayal Iro into acres of space down the left edge. Iro timed his pass to perfection, ensuring defender Jye Gray had committed to him and then sending Trindall into the in-goal to score. The Sharks now lead 14-6 and have improved tenfold from their sloppy opening.
It comes as Mark Kennar just passed his HIA for Souths, while Shark Sam Stonestreet is off the field being assessed for a HIA.
That's a try in 5 straight games for Braydon Trindall!
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 3, 2024
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54TH MINUTE: CRISIS AVERTED
Braydon Trindall can breathe a very, very big sigh of relief.
He almost gifted the Rabbitohs four-points in what would have been nothing short of a disaster after he attempted a risky off-load while being tackled by two Souths players in the in-goal.
The ball spilt free and pinballed off several players in a chaotic sequence before Dion Teaupa pounced on it.
The Bunker ruled that Damien Cook had knocked the ball on in the build up after it spilt free to keep Cronulla’s narrow 8-6 lead in tact.
48TH MINUTE: THIRD TIME LUCKY
Sam Stonestreet finally has his try.
The Bunker denied of the two previous times he had crossed the stripe tonight, but there was no denying this. Stonestreet got on the end of a brilliant string of Sharks passes on the left edge and flung himself at full stretch into the corner under pressure to score.
The conversion attempt missed and Cronulla holds a slender 8-6 lead despite leading two tries to one.
43RD MINUTE: STONESTREET ON REPORT
Cronulla rookie Sam Stonestreet has taken out his frustration on South Sydney’s Jye Gray.
Stonestreet was placed on report after he tackled Gray while he was still in mid-air - just.
It comes after Stonestreet almost had a first-half double, only for both instances to be ruled as a no try by the Bunker.
HALFTIME: SHARKS 4-6 RABBITOHS
Jye Gray SuperCoach owners rejoice, the pocket rocket was the pick of first half performers after his hot start early and has 74 points to match. Hooker Damien Cook has also been strong for Souths with 54 points.
The Bunnies hold a slender two-point lead after the Bunker ruled out not one, but two, Sam Stonestreet tries to cruel Cronulla’s strong finish to the half.
Cronulla’s late surge coincided with a much improved completion rate to end the half. The Sharks were completing at just 53 per cent at one point.
SUPERCOACH TOP PERFORMERS
40TH MINUTE: STONESTREET DENIED AGAIN
Poor Sam Stonestreet can’t take a trick tonight.
In an alternate universe, Stonestreet has a double, but in this one he hasn’t scored a point. It’s the cruel reality after he cruised over the stripe untouched on the cusp of half-time before, but referee Liam Kennedy spotted an obstruction in the build up and this was confirmed by the Bunker.
34TH MINUTE: BUNKER CONTROVERSY
Sharks winger Samuel Stonestreet was denied an acrobatic try in the left corner after the Bunker ruled he had failed to apply downward pressure.
Replays of the incident however seemed to show Stonestreet’s pinky finger in contact with the ball and applying downward pressure.
It’s a costly blow for the Sharks who would’ve hit the lead despite their first struggles to complete their sets throughout the first half.
30TH MINUTE: DEBUTANT’S FIRST POINTS
Souths debutant Fletcher Myers aptly converted a penalty goal from close-range
It was a significant kick for the winger as it marked his first NRL points.
28TH MINUTE: WE HAVE A STALEMATE
The Sharks and Bunnies are still locked at four points apiece as the 30-minute mark draws close at PointsBet Stadium.
Cronulla can count themselves lucky to not be trailing given they’ve completed just eight of their 15 sets for a poor 53 per cent completion rate. Compare that with the Bunnies who have failed to complete just two sets.
Try-scorer Jye Gray made a very hot start to the game and is South Sydney’s only tryscorer to lead the way in SuperCoach with 55 points.
14TH MINUTE: SHARKS HIT BACK
South Sydney’s lead on Cronulla turf was short-lived after Sione Katoa scored the home side’s first try.
The Sharks found an overlap on the right edge Jesse Ramien - after a hairy juggle - drew defender Archie Gray in by timing his pass to perfection before sending Katoa over untouched.
The conversion attempt was no good and it’s 4-all.
7TH MINUTE: GRAY OPENS SCORING
After a nervy start under the high ball where he nearly collided with Jacob Gagai, Jye Gray has shaken off his early nerves to open the scoring at PointsBet Stadium against the Sharks.
Gray was too quick out wide against a scattered and scrambling Cronulla defence who couldn’t bring him down before the tryline.
The Rabbitohs lead 4-0 early.
7:35pm: KICK OFF
The third and final clash of Super Saturday between Cronulla and South Sydney is underway at PointsBet Stadium.
The Rabbitohs survived a nervy moment in the opening minutes where Jacob Gagai and Jye Gray nearly collided at full speed after failing to communicate under the high ball. Fortunately the contact was minimal and both players were unscathed.
FULLTIME: 25 YEARS IN THE MAKING
For the first time this century, St George Illawarra have beaten Melbourne on their home turf.
Not since 1999 had the Dragons tasted victory in Melbourne, but a Ben Hunt-inspired showing rewrote the history books to see St George Illawarra clinch a 16-18 victory.
“I think that was the best win for three or four years to be honest,” said Hunt, who had two try assists, post-game on Fox League.
Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan proved that a week is a long-time in football. Dropped for his defensive shortcomings last weekend, Sloan responded with an impressive display and crucially - bar one spill - held his nerve under the high ball. He was also at his scintillating best in attack and managed a brilliant individual try.
Melbourne had St George under the pump in the game’s final minutes but lacked polish close to the line and will be left to rue some costly errors. Harry Grant scored a double and was superb, while Jahrome Hughes and Cam Munster both had some moments of brilliance in the halves.
It was Grant who led the SuperCoach stakes with 106 points while St George forward Jaydn Su’A, who also scored a double, managed 96 points. Popular Storm forward Eliesa Katoa wasn’t at his best with 41 points and Ryan Papenhuyzen managed just 11.
TOP SUPERCOACH PERFORMERS
75TH MINUTE: STORM RUE ERRORS
The Dragons are hanging on. Exhausted and under immense pressure from a surging Storm, but they’ve been let off the hook - for now - after Tepai Moeroa made a meal of his attempt to play the ball. It was such a simple yet brutal error.
Melbourne has been left to rue for much of the evening and Craig Bellamy is fuming.
70TH MINUTE: GRANT CRACKS SUPERCOACH TON
Harry Grant’s superb outing has been rewarded and he’s the only player past the 100-point mark so far in SuperCoach with 103 points his name.
Grant has 128 run metres and two line breaks to go with his pair of tries. Fellow double try-scorer Jaydn Su’A is hot on Grant’s heels with 94 points.
The Storm still trail by two with 10 minutes to play and are breathing fire down the Dragons’ backs.
60TH MINUTE: GRANT BURROWS OVER
As impressive as the Dragons have been tonight, Melbourne aren’t going to go away.
The Storm’s third try came from it coveted spine again. This time it was the work of Harry Grant, who burst out of dummy half head down-bum up and burrowed through the Dragons defence to force his way over.
Nick Meaney nailed his second conversion of the night and the Storm trail by just two points.
LATE MAIL: FINAL TEAMS IN FOR SHARKS-RABBITOHS
There are no late surprises ahead of tonight’s game between Cronulla and South Sydney. Dion Teaupa will replace the injured Cody Walker at halfback for the Rabbitohs only change as was reported yesterday.
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Royce Hunt 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Jack Williams 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele. 18th man: 18. Jayden Berrell
Rabbitohs
1. Jye Gray 2. Fletcher Myers 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 18. Dion Teaupa 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Cameron Murray 12. Jacob Host 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Michael Chee Kam 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Tallis Duncan. 18th man: 19. Peter Mamouzelos
49TH MINUTE: HUNT’S ON FIRE
The bunker may have denied him a try assist minutes earlier, but there was no denying this Dragons try which yet again was covered in Ben Hunt’s fingerprints.
The St George Illawarra no. 7 orchestrated his side’s third try with a daring last tackle play where he opted to run to great effect, breaking through the Storm line and drawing in last man in defence Papenhuyzen before hitting Jaydn Su’A on his right to finish the job.
Su’A now had a double while Hunt has a pair of try assists for the game. The pair have been a very dangerous combination.
45TH MINUTE: BUNKER DENIES DOUBLE
Tyrell Sloan’s emphatic double has been denied by the bunker after it was ruled that Luciano Leilua obstructed the Storm defence in his follow through. It was a costly blow for the Dragons who had the chance to take an eight-point lead early in the second half.
Sloan had scored off the back of some masterful playmaking from Ben Hunt who pumped to pass not one, not two, not three, but four times to open the Storm defence up. The score remains 10-12 in favour of St George Illawarra,
HALFTIME: STORM 10-12 DRAGONS
Emotions are high and tempers are flaring at AAMI Park in Melbourne. Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been in the thick of the action after he was placed on report for a shot that caught Francis Molo high and kicked off a melee by throwing the footy into Jaydn Su’A’s back. The Storm big man put in a very impressive first half shift with 94 run metres and two tackles breaks.
St George Illawarra made a slow start to the game but came to life after the 20-minute mark and hit the lead off the back off a brilliant run from recalled fullback Tyrell Sloan.
Of the popular SuperCoach options, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes have made solid starts with 36 and 34 points respectively after they combined for the first try of the day.
TOP SUPERCOACH PERFORMERS
1. Jaydn Su’A - 50 points
2. Tyrell Sloan - 46 points
3. Cameron Munster - 39 points
4. Harry Grant - 36 points
5. Grant Anderson - 36 points
36TH MINUTE: STORM RESPOND
Melbourne has hit back after a dominant patch from the Dragons through Grant Anderson.
Cameron Munster was the architect as the deft touch of his left boot dribbled the Steeden into Anderson’s path and he finished superbly in the bach corner. Melbourne are trailing by two after Nick Meaney failed to convert.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been in the thick of the action. Just minutes after he was placed on report he threw the ball into the back of an unsuspecting Jaydn Su’A. Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle disregarded his weight division and took exception, causing a melee to break out. Referee Grant Atkins gave Asofa-Solomona a talking to and could be heard warning him that he’s on “thin ice” of Fox League’s broadcast.
It's kicked off at AAMI Park, and look who's in the middle of it.
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 3, 2024
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32ND MINUTE: ASOFA-SOLOMONA ON REPORT
Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona flattened Francis Molo with a high shot, but it looked to catch Molo in the chin and Asofa-Solomona has been placed report.
30TH MINUTE: TOO QUICK, TOO SMART TYRELL
Catch him if you can.
Tyrell Sloan burst through a hole in the Storm line before he feigned to grubber to turn Ryan Papenhuyzen inside out in the backfield. It was Sloan at his captivating best and a moment of attacking brilliance.
St George Illawarra leads 12-6.
25TH MINUTE: SU’A RETURNS SERVE
The Dragons have responded.
After a slow start from St George Illawarra halves Ben Hunt and Kyle Flanagan have gotten to work, and it culminated in a Jaydn Su’A try. Hunt was the architect after his pinpoint grubber infiltrated the Storm in-goal and sat nicely Su’A to place it down. Zac Lomax converted - just - to tie the scores at 6 apiece.
Hunt now has an equal-career best 27 try assists this season.
16TH MINUTE: STORM STRIKE
Just wow Jahrome Hughes. The Storm halfback’s potent running game was on show a big right foot step left Dragons big man Luciano Leilua grasping the air as Hughes burst past him and offloaded to Harry Grant for the first points of the game.
Errors have cost the Dragons early but that was a simple moment of individual brilliance from Hughes.
It was also good news for the SuperCoach owners of the pair, with Grant now on 28 points while try assist takes Hughes’ total to 31.
Hughes and Grant cut straight through the Dragons defensive line.
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 3, 2024
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7TH MINUTE: COMPOSED SLOAN
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan put the onus on returning fullback Tyrell Sloan to better defensively - and particularly - under the high ball in is return game after he played NSW Cup last week.
Sloan held his nerve early with some fine touches, before he passed his first major test under a towering Jahrome Hughes high ball to fly and collect the footy cleanly despite a strong contest from Eliesa Katoa.
5:30PM: KICK OFF
The second clash of Super Saturday is now underway at AAMI Park with the Dragons out to keep their finals hopes alive against a Strom side on the cusp of the minor premiership.
Cameron Munster has started the game strongly for Melbourne as he stepped and fended his way through the Dragons defence with his first touch of the footy for a massive run.
LATE MAIL: FINAL TEAMS IN FOR STORM, DRAGONS
The Dragons have made a late change, with starting props Jack de Belin and Francis Molo benched, which sees Hame Sele and Blake Lawrie starting in the front row.
Melbourne have not made any late changes, but Tui Kamikamica was ruled out in the 24-hour team update, with Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been named to start in his place, with Tepai Moeroa moving onto the bench.
Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 10. Josh King 9. Harry Grant 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero
Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Alec MacDonald 22. Tepai Moeroa
Reserves: 20. Sualauvi Faalogo
Dragons
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 14. Hame Sele 9. Jacob Liddle 17. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth
Interchange: 8. Francis Molo 10. Jack de Belin15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Ryan Couchman
Reserves: 18. Lyhkan King-Togia
FULL-TIME: TITANS 46-18 BRONCOS
The Titans have produced a miraculous comeback at home, scoring 36 unanswered points in the second half, in what way be one of the club’s greatest ever second half performances. And they did it in front of a sold-out crowd.
Down 18-10 at half-time, they still had a hope, but things looked bleak. But with the Broncos suffering some devastating injuries, the Titans came out firing to stun their bitter rivals, to all but end Brisbane’s finals hopes.
To make things worse for the Broncos, Payne Haas’ season could be over after suffering a foot injury, while Ezra Mam didnt return with an ankle injury.
TOP PERFORMERS
1. Jojo Fifita - 140 points
2. Keano Kini - 127 points
3. Kieran Foran - 99 points
4. Beau Fermor - 91 points
5. Phillip Sami - 91 points
79TH MINUTE: MERCY, MERCY!
The Titans’ domination has continued, scoring yet again in the dying minutes, this time through Beau Fermor scoring after a great run out of dummy half from Chris Randall. They would be up to 50 points now if not for the mixed goal kicking from Jayden Campbell.
77TH MINUTE: MAKE IT STOP
Oh the Titans are just beating a dead horse here, scoring yet again in the dying minutes, with Phillip Sami collecting yet another bat back from Jojo Fifta to score untouched. The Broncos season is officially in crisis. This has been an insane game from Fifita who is now on a whopping 136 SuperCoach points.
74TH MINUTE: TITANS MAGIC CONTINUES
The Titans remarkable comeback has continued, with Jojo Fifita’s outstanding game continues, scoring a try courtesy of a Kieran Foran offload and a crisp pass from Phillip Sami. This performance has Des Hasler written all over it, with the Titans dominating the ‘big brothers’ in the second half. Could the Titans somehow make a miracle run toward the finals?
69TH MINUTE: AKP IN AGAIN
The Titans are in again, extending their lead to 14 points with just over 10 minutes to go, with Alofiani Khan-Pereira crashing over to score a historic try. The Titans winger scoring his 40th career try in his 39th game, the first player to score 40 within 40 since 1962. See the full story on that try here.
66TH MINUTE: BRONCOS BOMB TWO TRIES
The Broncos have bombed tries in back to back sets, with Deine Mariner appearing to score before the bunker spotted a knock on in the contest, before Reece Walsh fired a wayward pass to Corey Oates. Brisbane have steadied in the last few minutes, but the Titans are still well on top right now.
55TH MINUTE: ONE WAY TRAFFIC
The Titans are well on top right now and Jojo Fifita is having one of the games off his life, batting the ball back of a Kieran Foran kick again, with Titans five-eighth Jayden Campbell regathering to score.... or so it seemed! The Bunker intervened to take the try away, but the Titans hold onto the ball after the Broncos gave away a penalty in the lead up.
Denied the earlier try, the Titans were in again on basically the next play, with Fifita scoring in the corner, after a series of missed tackles from the Broncos.
53RD MINUTE: FIFITA CRUSHER
Corey Jensen has been put on report for a crusher tackle on David Fifita, who luckily seems uninjured.
Meanwhile, Keano Kini has retaken the lead for SuperCoach points, going up to 83 points after his last try, with Reece Walsh on 71, Jojo Fifita on 69 and Kieran Foran on 63.
51ST MINUTE: TITANS TAKE THE LEAD
The Titans have started the second half with back to back tries, with Beau Fermor putting Kieran Foran into space, who managed to get the ball away off the ground with Phil Sami getting the ball to his fellow centre Brian Kelly, who cut back in field to score next to the posts. Annoyingly for Broncos fans the pass from Fermor to Foran definitely seemed forward, but was missed by the touchies. The Titans lead by two points, having failed to convert two prior tries.
48TH MINUTE: KINI BACK WITH IMMEDIATE IMPACT
The Titans have survived the sin binning of Keano Kini, conceding just two points from a penalty goal.
And he has an immediate impact in his return, scoring with his first touch in one of the plays of the year, regathering the ball after a back bat from Jojo Fifita off a Kieran Foran kick, scooping up the ball of a grubber and putting it down in the same motion. Incredible stuff.
Brian Kelly came out firing in the second half, putting a massive shot on Reece Walsh in his first touch after the break.
Brendan Piakura returned to the field late in the first half after passing his HIA, while Pat Carrigan sent some scares through Broncos camp after copping some contact to the head and being split open after clutching at a cheekbone or eye socket, but seems to be okay for now.
It could easily have gone wrong, but the Titans capatilise!
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 3, 2024
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41ST MINUTE: HOPE FOR MAM WITH SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
The Broncos are holding out hope that Ezra Mam will be able to return in the second half, and is running in the sheds at halftime as he undergoes fitness tests. If he is unable to return it will activate the Broncos 18th man Josiah Karapani, despite the tackle not being ‘foul play’, since a player was sin-binned as a result of the tackle. Karapani is warming up on the sidelines in a strong indicator Mam’s afternoon is over.
HALF-TIME: TITANS 10-18 BRONCOS
The Broncos have the lead and will have a one man advantage to start the second half, after a seesawing first half, with both teams playing for their seasons.
The Broncos have suffered a devastating blow, with Payne Haas going down with a foot injury and ruled out of the game, while Ezra Mam had to be carried off the field with an ankle injury.
Reece Walsh has been in everything for the Broncos, while Keano Kini and Jojo Fifita combined for the Titans two tries, before Kini was sent to the sin bin late in the half.
TOP PERFORMERS SO FAR
1. Reece Walsh – 68 points
2. Keano Kini – 64 points
3. Jojo Fifita – 63 points
4. Adam Reynolds – 43 points
5. Pat Carrigan – 34 points
37TH MINUTE: KINI BINNED, MAM INJURED
34TH MINUTE: BRONCOS BACK IN
The Broncos have extended their lead, with Kobe Hetherington pouncing on an Adam Reynolds grubber to score his first try of the season, just minutes after being brought onto the field. He took out Reynolds in scoring but the halfback appears to be fine, as does Reece Walsh, who was left winded from a tackle earlier in the set from a late shot from Brian Kelly, who is now on report.
The contact from Kelly was.... extremely soft to say the least, so I doubt he has anything to worry about with the match review committee. Walsh clearly just trying to milk a penalty.
28TH MINUTE: TITANS IN AGAIN
What is going on here? After a frantic 5 minutes that saw the Broncos score twice, the Titans have hit back again, with Keano Kini and Jojo Fifita combining again to put the winger over in the corner for a try. The Titans are still down by 2 with Jayden Campbell unable to convert their first try, but the Titans have wrestled back the momentum in this game and are on a roll. The Broncos need to desperately fix up their left edge defence.
Meanwhile Brendan Piakura has been forced off the field with a HIA, but could return if he passes.
The try sees Keano Kini leap to the top of the SuperCoach scoring on 71 points, while Jojo Fifita goes to 63, and Reece Walsh is on 54.
21ST MINUTE: TITANS HIT BACK
The Titans have returned serve, with fullback Keano Kini crossing after a brilliant run from winger Jojo Fifita. The Winger almost bombed it after a flying Reece Walsh soared through the air, causing Fifita to trip over, but he managed to get back to his feet and get the ball off to his fullback to score.
Disaster off the kick-off though, with David Fifita knocking the ball on immediately, thankfully for David the Broncos knocked on in the next play.
Meanwhile Brendan Piakura has been put on report for a late shot on Kieran Foran.
Walsh remains on top of the SuperCoach scoring, with 53 points so far, but Jojo Fifita isn’t far behind on 42.
HAAS INJURY UPDATE
The Broncos have been rocked by the news that star prop Payne Haas could miss the remainder of the season.
Haas left the field at Cbus Super Stadium after just 10 minutes of Saturday afternoon’s clash with the Titans.
The early diagnosis from the Broncos was that Haas had suffered a lisfranc injury in his foot, which usually results in a lengthy recovery.
With only five weeks left in the regular season, Haas will be at long odds to play again in 2024.
Haas finishes the game with just 17 SuperCoach points.
15TH MINUTE: WALSH IN AGAIN
It took the Broncos some time to get going but now they have exploded into action, with Reece Walsh in again, this time after regathering his own kick! Walsh put the ball up high, and was quick to chase, outleaping Titans fullback Keano Kini to catch and crash over. Unbelievable stuff.
WALSHY BACK AT IT AGAIN!
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 3, 2024
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13TH MINUTE: BREAKING INJURY NEWS
Payne Haas has been ruled OUT of the game with a foot injury. Haas required some treatment on his foot during the warm-up, and appeared to tweak it in an inoccuous tackle, and was quickly ruled out for the remainder by Broncos medical staff.
12TH MINUTE: LIGHTNING STRIKES
And just minutes after my last post complaining of nothing happening, and Reece Walsh has lit this game up, with a Patrick Carrigan offload to Walsh putting him into some space, before kicking and regathering to get it down. There was a hint of an obstruction with Carrigan appearing to take out a player after passing, opening the space for Walsh to cut through, but despite the protests of Kieran Foran it was cleared by the bunker.
Reece Walsh does it on his own!
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 3, 2024
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10TH MINUTE: Not a lot happening out there at the moment, the Broncos started off hot before the Titans begun heaping pressure on their Queensland rivals. The Broncos won a challenge after a comedy of errors, but threw it away on the next play and lost it.
Both teams have given the other some relieving penalties and easy passage out of their own ends, but have been able to defend it.
5TH MINUTE: It didn’t take long for the Broncos to expose the Titans defence early, with Deine Mariner making a clean break and running up the field, but was unable to find his support player Ezra Mam, and they were unable to finish the set with points.
3PM: KICK-OFF
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Super Saturday, Wilson Smith here to keep you posted on all the major happenings in our three games today.
We’re underway in our first game of the day, with the Titans hosting the Broncos in front of a sellout crowd at Cbus Super Stadium.
WATCH: CLASSY DES ACT
Des Hasler congratulates Australia's olympians who have done a fantastic job competing against the world's best! â¤ï¸ðŸ™Œ
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2PM: LATE MAIL UPDATE
Just the one small change from the Titans ahead of the match with Jaimin Jolliffe promoted to the starting side and lightweight prop Erin Clark moving to the bench.
Titans
1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 18. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall
Interchange: 10. Erin Clark 14. Isaac Liu 15. Klese Haas 17. Josiah Pahulu
Reserves: 21. Tanah Boyd
Players cut: 16. Keenan Palasia 19. AJ Brimson 20. Joe Stimson 22. Tony Francis
Broncos
1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan
Interchange: 14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Martin Taupau
Reserves: 18. Josiah Karapani
Players cut: 19. Joshua Rogers 20. Tyson Smoothy 21. Vaa Semu 22. Tristan Sailor
The Gold Coast Titans play host to the Brisbane Broncos in the first of today’s triple-header and SuperCoaches will be watching the match closely.
Brisbane enforcer Payne Haas was the most purchased player of the round heading into the game with SuperCoaches banking on the big man punching out another big minute effort.
On the other side of the field the Titans have two popular SuperCoach picks in David Fifita and Jayden Campbell.
Fifita has a career average of 86.5PPG against the Broncos and scored 89 points when the two teams met earlier this year in round 12.
Campbell is in red hot form for the Titans and brings a 5RA of 100PPG into the match.
In later games all eyes will be on:
Cameron Munster: Finally back in the starting line-up for the Storm, Munster was a popular buy heading into the round. The Dragons have been pretty porous defensively this year but have been surprisingly staunch against five-eighths allowing on average just 44PPG at the position.
Jahrome Hughes/Ryan Papenhuyzen/Harry Grant: The other members of the Storm spine are expected to score well against St George Illawarra.
Braydon Trindall: The Sharks may be missing Nicho Hynes but Trindall is not with scores of 138 (Rd 19) and 81 (Rd 21).
Keaon Koloamatangi: It’s been a bleak old season for South Sydney by and large, but the form of Koloamatangi through the middle has been a rare highlight and the big man has not scored below 74 points in six successive matches.
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