The Rabbitohs have continued their stronghold at Cbus Super Stadium with a 46-28 win over the Gold Coast Titans.
Stretching their succession streak to now 14 seasons on the Gold Coast, the visitors clawed their way back from a 22-16 deficit at the break to flex their muscle in the final 40, getting the job done to re-enter the top four.
Match: Titans v Rabbitohs
Round 14 -
home Team
Titans
14th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
2nd Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Here are the key talking points from the Round 14 clash:
Right side woes prove costly against Rabbitohs flyer
It was a tough night out for the Titans right edge defensively with Alex Johnston moving to fourth all-time in the NRL try-scoring tally thanks to a hat-trick of four-pointers in the Rabbitohs defeat of the home side.
First crossing in the 16th minute, he backed up his point-scoring in the 34th and 47th minutes to race past Brett Morris on his quest to run down a 57-year record set by Ken Irvine back in 1965.
A total of 33 missed tackles troubled the Titans throughout the night, especially on that right edge where eight of them came, resulting in the three tries in the corner by Johnston.
El Captino's courageous post-Origin showing
Backing up at club level after a stirring Origin victory is always an expectation for Queensland and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui took it to a whole new level on Saturday night.
Coming on in the 20th minute after playing a solid 41 minutes in Adelaide on Wednesday, the Titans captain brought his inspirational work ethic to his Gold Coast side, finishing with 156 running metres including 71 post-contact, 33 tackles and a try under the posts in an attempt to carry his team to victory.
Sadly, his heroic 61 minutes on field wasn't enough to secure the two points.
Arrow injury leaves door ajar for Fotuaika
Titans enforcer Moeaki Fotuaika showed Billy Slater he is waiting in the wings for a Maroon recall after yet another strong performance against the Rabbitohs.
With South Sydney and Queensland forward Jai Arrow succumbing to an ankle injury - suspected to be syndesmosis - in the 20th minute, and Tom Gilbert expected to miss Game II with a shoulder injury sustained on Wednesday night, the Gold Coast's efforts up front with 154 metres, four tackle breaks and 33 tackles would be of interest to the Maroons coach.
Particularly impressive was Fotuaika's big moments in defence and his continuous carries from the back fence time and time again during the game.
