NRL 2022: Sharks v Titans match report: Olympian Lachie Miller produces sensational debut

Former Olympic rugby sevens player Lachie Miller was the star of the show on NRL debut as the Sharks dominated the Titans.

Lachie Miller celebrates a try on debut (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Olympian Lachie Miller had a sensational NRL debut at fullback and Nicho Hynes stepped up on his return to halfback to inspire the Sharks to a vital 25-18 win over the Titans.

The 27-year-old Miller, who represented Australia in sevens rugby at the Tokyo Olympics, split the Gold Coast defence to score an 80m cracker in the second-half to cap a memorable match in front of his family at CBUS Super Stadium.

Miller, playing in front of partner Ellie, son Billy, mum Marie and 30 mates from Coffs Harbour, was on cloud nine after his display.

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“It was pretty special. To be fair, the first eight months at this club have been some of the best of my sporting career so this really topped it off,” he said.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play on some pretty big stages before and obviously the boys I had around me, all that experience, helped and really settled my nerves and I felt ready to go.

Lachie Miller celebrates a try on debut (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“I loved my time in rugby union but when I was young, it was a dream to play NRL. Since coming back here with this group of boys ... it’s like a family. They got me to a position where I was ready to debut and I can’t thank them enough.’’

As for his try, he said he just “saw the gap open”.

“Both my calves cramped. It might have been the 30-odd people from Coffs Harbour that got me there in the end,” he grinned.

The win took the Sharks to fourth spot on the ladder and has put another nail in the coffin of the Titans finals hopes, which are all but over after just 11 rounds.

After the scores were locked at 6-all at the break, Hynes supported Ronald Mulitalo down the middle of the park to score and then put Mulitalo in with a three-man cut-out pass.

Miller then put his stamp on the match when the Titans watched a bomb bounce. Miller swooped and his electrifying speed did the rest.

Only four points separate the Sharks and the Dragons in 11th as the fight for top eight spots intensifies. It was a vital win for Cronulla and they had big contributions from hooker Blayke Brailey and centre Siosifa Talakai.

Lachie Miller slides over for a try (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

TOKYO TO CBUS

Miller lived up to the raps about his talents, which he had been showcasing for Newtown. This was next level and he went up a few gears. Miller’s 254m from 19 runs with nine tackle breaks was just stunning.

It is no surprise he was a hit in sevens rugby with his speed, involvement and elusiveness all a highlight.

“What a fantastic moment. Lachie Miller making his debut at 27. What a great story,” Fox League’s Greg Alexander said after Miller’s stellar try.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said it was a great display by “a really good person”.

“He’s really popular and last night during the jersey presentation was a great night for our team,” Fitzgibbon said.

“The guy’s played in the Olympic Sevens. The big stage is not an issue for him and the reason myself and Moons [GM of football Darren Mooney] wanted to sign him was for that reason.

“He’s got a lot of education footy-wise to catch up on because he hasn’t played the game for a number of years but he’s very studious.”

As for what he does with Will Kennedy returning next week from suspension?

“Be a brave man not to pick Will. Lachie’s obviously showed what he’s capable of and he does have utility value,” Fitzgibbon said.

The former Coffs Harbour and Sawtell junior was just lapping up a stunning start to his NRL career.

“I thought the dream was gone, I went to rugby union and here we are,” Miller said.

“The beauty of this team is that it’s next man up. If I go back to reserve grade, I don’t mind. An opportunity might pop up later in the year and I’ll play where I’m needed.”

TITANS FRUSTRATE

The Sharks had 75 per cent of the territory in the first half but the home side aimed up. AJ Brimson and Beau Fermor both came up with try savers but in the second stanza the Gold Coast went to sleep with the Sharks scoring three tries in 11 minutes.

As is their want, the Titans came to the life when trailing 24-6 but top sides don’t make such a habit of it. Gold Coast’s middle forwards Mo Fotuaika, Jarrod Wallace and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui were outmuscled by Toby Rudolf, Royce Hunt and Cameron McInnes early. Rudolf stole the ball off Fotuaika to change the momentum in the first half to showcase which team was more desperate.

Wallace is in try-scoring form, scoring a superb double after also crossing against the Dragons the previous week, but he didn’t have enough help.

“The disappointing part is that we leak one [try] and we’ve got to do something about it then, rather than after three. The shackles are off and they fight hard to the end, which is better than not fighting until the end,” Titans coach Justin Holbrook said, while confirming winger Phil Sami had suffered a knee injury and could miss a few weeks.

Jarrod Wallace scored a double (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

HYNES HITS BACK

Hynes, disappointed in his display the previous week against Canberra at fullback, came up with the big plays when Cronulla needed them.

Miller’s elevation enabled him to slot back into his best position in the Sharks outfit at number seven. Hynes took control and landed a late field goal to ice the cake. His display was another reminder to NSW coach Brad Fittler of his versatility in the race for the number 14 jersey.

JAYDEN JOUSTS

The Titans look a far better team with the multi-talented Jayden Campbell at fullback but they rely far too much on him for creative spark. The electric number one did his level best to get the Gold Coast into the game and set up Esan Marsters late to set up a tense final few minutes. The rest of the members of the spine need to offer more when the game is there to be won.

“Jayden was terrific again and we are a much better side with him in it that is for sure,” Holbrook said.

Miller time: Why NRL debut will be better than the Olympics

— David Riccio

Lachie Miller has declared his NRL debut will provide a greater sense of pride than representing Australia at the Olympics.

The former rugby sevens star has also revealed how close the Gold Coast Titans came to signing him before he linked with the Sharks.

Selected at fullback for Cronulla, Miller, 27, will achieve a boyhood dream against the Titans on Sunday night — less than 12 months after representing Australia at the Tokyo Games.

“The Titans actually reached out to my manager before the Sharks did last year,” Miller said.

“They said they would send a contract offer through, but we waited for a while and nothing came. Then Craig Fitzgibbon (Sharks coach) gave me a call soon after and he gave me the confidence that I could make the switch back to league.”

Lachie Miller will make his NRL debut for Cronulla on Sunday.

The Coffs Harbour Comets junior, Miller played rugby league from the age of nine until he was 22, which included playing local A grade footy for the Sawtell Panthers.

It wasn’t until rugby’s legendary Ella brothers Mark, Gary and Glen, held their sevens tournament in Coffs Harbour five years ago that Miller’s rugby union experiment took off.

“He told me I’ve got some talent and should be playing for Randwick (Shute Shield) in Sydney and sevens footy,” Miller said. “I got into the development system with the ARU (Australian Rugby) and then got a contract to play sevens.”

Miller was chosen in the Australian Olympic rugby team at last year’s Olympics. Australia were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual gold medallists, Fiji.

“It’s a weird one. I know you probably should see yourself as an Olympian, but it’s not something that I throw out there day to day,’’ Miller said. “But at the end of the day, we got over there and we performed.

“It’s something that I will never forget, but to hear the news from Fitzy, this one might surpass it. It was pretty exciting when he told me, I was just so happy.

Lachie Miller was part of Australia’s rugby sevens team at last year’s Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Brett Costello

“It’s been a long dream, ever since I was young.

“Coming back to rugby league is something that I always wanted to do, but to make the decision to do it and follow through with it and get to where we are at 27, it’s pretty special.’’

Miller’s call-up is both reward for his outstanding form in the NSW Cup and Fitzgibbon’s eagerness to return Nicho Hynes to halfback after being used at fullback in last week’s loss to the Raiders.
A Matty Bowen fan as a boy, Miller, who boasts speed and elite evasive skill, leads the NSW Cup in tackle breaks and is second for line-break assists.

“It’s been a pretty long process,’’ Miller said.

“Coming into the system with the possibility of playing as a half, fullback or maybe hooker, I’ve watched a lot of footy of late.

“I’ve watched players in those positions. I’ve watched a lot of what Will Kennedy (Sharks fullback) does at the back, I have a lot of respect for him.

“And also all those running five-eighths in the NRL, just trying to emulate what they‘ve been doing, like Jarome Hughes, Jarome Luai, Matt Moylan and Nicho.

“I’ve also had a really good team at Newtown, with a good coach and a great club, I can’t thank them enough for building me up to be eligible for this.

“I definitely needed it. It was a bit of a shock getting thrown in there at the start, but I’ve loved every minute.’’

Asked if will be nervous when he runs out against the Titans, Miller replied: “I haven’t been nervous for a game for a while.

“I have played on some big stages before so hopefully it holds me in good stead.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Sharks v Titans match report: Olympian Lachie Miller produces sensational debut