Jayden Campbell stars as Gold Coast Titans win 30-12 over Sydney Roosters

Titans stars Jayden Campbell and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui have helped inspire their side to back-to-back wins, snapping a nine-year, 11 game losing streak to the Sydney Roosters.

The Sydney Roosters’ horror start to 2025 continued on Friday night after Jayden Campbell inspired the Gold Coast Titans to a 30-12 victory at Allianz Stadium.

After losing three of their opening four games, the Tricolours sit in 14th position on the ladder with just two competition points, their worst start to a season since 2016. They have likewise conceded 126 points across these four games, a point more than they conceded during the same period in 2016, a season when they finished second-last.

The Titans have snapped a nine-year, eleven game losing streak to the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

While the scores were level at 6-all at the break, Trent Robinson’s men actually led 12-8 with 30 minutes remaining. However, a 90-metre intercept try to Campbell allowed the Coasters to level the scores and, riding a wave of momentum, they were able to seal the deal with late touchdowns to Phillip Sami, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and AJ Brimson.

“We had opportunities . . . [and] I really would have liked to have finished it off there at 12-8,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson lamented post-match.

“Even at 12-all, there were a couple of moments there that sort of swung the momentum and we just weren’t calm enough to get it back in our favour again. . . that’s on us.”

The result snapped the Titans’ 11-match losing streak against the Bondi Junction-based club, a record that had stretched back almost nine years.

“It wasn’t that pretty,” Titans coach Des Hasler conceded.

“But I’m particularly pleased with how we hung in there. I thought some of our try line defence was quite admirable.”

After scoring 14 points via a try and five goals, Campbell was a popular choice for player of the match, but he was ably supported by Brimson (two tries) and hooker Sam Verrills, who also chipped in with a pair of try assists.

“He [Campbell] is building . . . but it’s up to us to keep giving him a good platform to build on,” Hasler continued

“He came up with some big plays . . . [He’s] very instinctive and that’s always hard to defend against.”

TEDDY SHINES IN BEATEN SIDE

While he may have been on the wrong side of the scoresheet, veteran fullback James Tedesco could hold his head high after a strong shift. He was a shining light in a bang average opening half, while his 210 metres registered across the 80 minutes was the most from any player on the park. With Dylan Edwards still recovering from a groin injury, Tedesco can score some early points in the battle for the NSW fullback jersey.

CHICKEN FEET FOR HANDS

The most telling stat of the match was the Roosters’ atrocious competition rate. The home side finished the night with more line breaks than the Titans (6-4), but they were ultimately let down by their ball security – completing just 24 of their 42 sets.

“That’s not NRL standard,” Robinson said of the 57% per cent competition rate.

Five-eighth Sandon Smith was the worst offender with five errors.

There were concerns for Victor Radley after yet another ugly head knock. Picture: NRL Imagery

VICTOR’S HEAD CASE

Victor Radley sent a scare through the Roosters camp when he was forced from the field for a concussion test after clashing heads with Titans forward Chris Randall in the 21st minute. The wholehearted lock has already missed one game this season due to concussion protocols but was fortunately allowed to return to the field against the Titans after passing his Head Injury Assessment. Radley has failed six HIAs in the past four seasons and has already undergone four concussion tests in 2025.

Originally published as Jayden Campbell stars as Gold Coast Titans win 30-12 over Sydney Roosters