Second half blitz sends Broncos back on top

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Gold Coast Titans v Brisbane Broncos

The Brisbane Broncos have re-taken top spot of the NRL ladder with a second half blitz to take a 43-26 victory over a Gold Coast Titans side who dominated for long periods.

Taking advantage of early field position, the Titans opened the scoring first when Phillip Sami got up above the Broncos defence as a pinpoint kick from Tanah Boyd got the winger perfectly before he scored.

The Titans had a second effort disallowed by the bunker after Brian Kelly was penalised for a strip after it was initially called a lost ball live. The knocked back effort hurt the Titans as Jordan Riki was able to go up the other end and keep his momentum to get over the line and get the ball down.

Soft defence hurt the Broncos as they only had eyes for David Fifita as the Titans used him as a decoy and executed a swift play to get Alofiana Khan-Pereira a try untouched in the corner.

Jesse Arthars was denied his attempt at a try in the first half when he was driven into touch by some strong defence by the Gold Coast. The Titans then extended their lead to 8 points when Tanah Boyd slotted a penalty goal after some dumb play from Pat Carrigan on David Fifita.

The Titans looked to have a commanding lead at the break but some luck for the Broncos turned momentum completely when an attacking kick from Jayden Campbell was charged down by Reece Walsh and the ball ended up with Herbie Farnworth as the Broncos went 90m upfield to close the gap to just four at half time.

It was a sloppy start to the second half for the Titans as their play started to go astray and it was off another deflected kick that the Broncos got up the other end of the field. It looked as if they wasted their attacking play but they hadn't as Reece Walsh stepped through the defence to score.

An unsuccessful challenge off a lost ball hurt the Titans as they were under more pressure and the defenders as Jesse Arthars was able to score in the corner.

The talking point of a game was referee Todd Smith's decision to bin Tino Fa'asuamaleaui for repeated infringements that looked very harsh. The Broncos then ran wild over the Titans with initially a penalty goal was kicked by Adam Reynolds before they added quick tries through Kurt Capewell and Reece Walsh to score.

The Titans were down by 16 but never looked like they lost hope as they continued to attack as Kruise Leeming got his first NRL try after the Titans looked to spread the ball down their left which they had success at all night.

A loose ball was the Broncos friend yet again as Selwyn Cobbo swooped on a loose pass initially kicking it forward before picking it up and with his speed was never getting swapped. Adam Reynolds subsequently added a field goal to give a 43-20 lead.

The Titans added a late try through Khan-Pereira which was off the back of the short kick-off being tapped by the Broncos into open space and picked up by the Titans. Tanah Boyd broke Rugby League nerd fans hearts when he converted to make the score 43-26 at full time.

Next weekend, the Titans head to Suncorp Stadium to take on the Dolphins whilst the Broncos leave QLD for just the second time this season as they head to Darwin for a clash with the Eels.