If all goes to plan for coach Justin Holbrook, David Fifita won t start for Gold Coast any time soon after his bold call to unleash his marquee man from the bench had spectacular results on Sunday.
A fired-up Fifita was unstoppable at times, wreaking havoc off the interchange to inspire a 32-10 thumping of St George Illawarra at Cbus Super Stadium and keep the Titans finals dream alive.
It was almost men against boys as Fifita scored a barnstorming 34th-minute try and set up another, finishing with two line breaks, one line break assist and 13 tackle busts while running 127 metres.
Toby Sexton will draw confidence from the way his representative schoolboy teammates have handled the step up to NRL level when he makes his debut for the Titans.
Sexton, who recently signed an upgraded contract with Gold Coast until 2024, has been watching teen stars Sam Walker, Reece Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow shine in their rookie NRL seasons while he has been helping the Tweed Seagulls into third place in the Intrust Super Cup.
However, Titans coach Justin Holbrook said the 20-year-old halfback was NRL ready and he will finally get his chance against St George Illawarra on Sunday after Jamal Fogarty was ruled out with a hand injury.
NRLW 2021: St George Illawarra Dragons, Shaylee Bent, founding club announces their five marquee signings but competition's immediate future under review nrl.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nrl.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Few positives could be found by Queensland after their disastrous 26-0 State of Origin game-two loss.
But the Gold Coast Titans can see a silver lining, with the return of their humbled Maroons forwards set to spark a fire in the belly as they look to turn their NRL season around against Canberra on Saturday.
After four straight losses, the Titans have a spring in their step after welcoming back livewire fullback AJ Brimson (knee) and newly re-signed winger Corey Thompson (ankle), who will play his 100th game.
But another recent re-signing - centre Patrick Herbert - said the battling Gold Coast had received a further boost thanks to their returning Maroons contingent of David Fifita, Tino Fa asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika.
Five of the most Influential players in the women’s game will represent the Gold Coast Titans after being named as marquee signings for the 2021 NRLW season.
The Titans will join the competition this season, with Tazmin Gray, Karina Brown, Georgia Hale, Brittany Breayley-Nati and Crystal Tamarua named as the inaugural signings.
Gold Coast NRLW Coach Jamie Feeney says he is thrilled that these five players will be Titans.
“All five of our marquee signings are international representatives and bring plenty of NRLW experience,” Feeney said.
“Most important is their passion and intent for the club, they want to play for the Titans, to represent this region and want to make the Gold Coast proud.