Brave and busted Hipgrave a 'game changer'

Brave back-rower Keegan Hipgrave has been hailed by Titans coach Justin Holbrook and his teammates as "a game-changer" after the comeback 16-12 win over the Warriors.

Hipgrave turned the match with a bone-jarring tackle on Chanel Harris-Tavita to gain his side possession when the Warriors were ahead 12-0 early and again on the rampage.

Minutes later he suffered a shoulder injury that left his arm hanging by his side for most of the 68 minutes he spent on the field.

The key tackle and his insistence for staying on the paddock at Cbus Super Stadium to make 28 tackles with a method that would have made former Titans assistant coach Trevor Gillmeister proud, was critical in the outcome.

"In rugby league, there are lots of big moments. It was a big changer in the game that tackle. It was great from Keegs," Titans coach Justin Holbrook said.

"He is not in a good way. He is in a lot of pain, but we needed to be resilient. We all know it is limited interchange and it was great for him to go for as long as he did.

"He was filthy to have to come off but I had to get him off in the end.

“To keep pushing like he did played a huge factor in us winning the game."

Titans halfback Jamal Fogarty was urging Hipgrave on during the match as the pain sent him into overdrive.

"Keegs is a bit nuts in the head at times. He is tough as, one of the toughest blokes I have ever met," Fogarty said.

"I knew he was a bit busted so I kept telling him 'mate, I need you. Keep working'. He was going a bit cross-eyed at me at times but as Keegs does he just gets on with the job and does what he has to for the team.

"It was a credit to him that he was out there for 65 minutes busted and came up with a crucial tackle that turned the ball over.

"Hopefully he can rest up this week and get his niggles all sorted and back-up next week because we definitely need him."

Fogarty was a match-winner with a slick grubber for rookie centre Beau Fermor to score in the 74th minute. Fermor, a back-rower by trade, was also inspired by Hipgrave.

"Keegan is one of the toughest players that I have ever met so it was no surprise that he could play like that," Fermor said.

"It shows the kind of character he is to keep showing up for us. That is kind of player I want to play with because he will put his body on the line when he is busted to get us the win."