Xavier Savage sparks Raiders as pressure mounts on Titans coach Des Hasler

A Xavier Savage hat-trick led the Raiders to a thumping 40-24 win against the Titans and heaped more pressure on coach Des Hasler, while a Maroons hopeful missed a chance to press his State of Origin claims.

Canberra snapped back to form after a Xavier Savage hat-trick led the Raiders to a thumping 40-24 win against the Titans and heaped more pressure on coach Des Hasler.

Raiders 1994 premiership centre and cult hero Noa Nadruku blew the Viking Horn before kick-off, and it doubled as a call to arms for Canberra’s outside men who ran rings around the Titans.

Six of the Raiders’ eight tries came from the outside men, as right-side pairing Savage and Matthew Timoko feasted for five tries between them.

Fullback Kaeo Weekes was untouchable at times, with two try assists, two line breaks, and 206 running metres, as the Raiders atoned for last week’s second half horror show against the Bulldogs to move back into third on the premiership ladder.

Canberra Raiders winger Xavier Savage scores a try against the Gold Coast Titans at GIO Stadium. Picture: NRL Imagery

“We didn’t have a bad player on the field, and we shouldn’t,” Stuart said.

“It’s less than one per cent of your week, 80 minutes, so it’s your responsibility to turn up every week, get over that sideline and play good.”

The Titans fired the first shot but had nothing left in the chamber as the Raiders ran rampant.

AJ Brimson made a successful start in his return to fullback, taking just five minutes to turn the Raiders defence inside out and send Jojo Fifita on his way.

“It’s not acceptable, it’s not good enough, at this level,” Hasler said.

“Not for the amount of work we put in.

“We only have ourselves to blame.”

ORIGIN AUDITION

Beau Fermor had everything to play for in the nation’s capital, but did he do enough to secure an Origin debut?

The Dalby-born Titans back-rower was considered a potential Maroons debutant for Origin I on May 28, with four tries in his previous five games to underscore his threat in attack.

Beau Fermor missed a chance to press his Maroons claims. Picture: David Hossack / NRL Imagery

Fermor was starved of good ball, and while he still made 87m from 13 runs, and 36 tackles – and coughed up an intercept in an attacking position at a crucial time – it wasn’t what we’ve come to expect from the dependable back-rower.

Tom Gilbert’s pec injury, which, if ruptured as suspected, could rule the Dolphin out for the whole series, could be the opening Fermor needs as he and Bulldogs utility Kurt Mann battle for a spot in the squad.

HOT TOUCH

It’s been a weekend of sensational tries, and Savelio Tamale has added his name to the list.

Hudson Young is priced like a winger on tryscoring markets he showcased his halves chops with a grubber kick turned to gold by Seb Kris.

Young put it on the toe, and it appeared to be going well beyond the dead ball line to everyone – except Kris, who tapped the ball back into the in-goal for Tamale, who had his back to the play, to pounce.

Originally published as Xavier Savage sparks Raiders as pressure mounts on Titans coach Des Hasler