Pre-SeasonTrial | Match Report

Fulltime Summary: The Titans have fallen just short of winning Gold Coast's first silverware after an impressive 42-12 defeat of the Storm. Under new coach Josh Hannay, the Titans defended strongly and competed hard to keep Melbourne scoreless in the second half while racking up eight tries. Even more impressive is the fact Gold Coast had less than 50 per cent possession and just three tackles inside the Melbourne 20m zone. Only a lack of offloads cost the Titans the Witzer Pre-season Challenge trophy as it was the only area they were behind the Eels on the ladder. After edging the Roosters 26-22, Parramatta picked up bonus points for five tries, five line-breaks and 10 offloads to finish one point ahead of the Titans on the ladder. However, the Titans had a superior for-and-against and would have won the title with five more offloads. 

77 min: De Groot has scored his second try under the posts and Ilias's conversion has put the Titans ahead of the Eels on for-and-against. Titans 42 Storm 12.

73 min: The Titans have gone further ahead after new recruit Kurtis Morrin burst into the clear and sent Jaylan De Groot racing away to score. Ilias converted. Titans 36 Storm 12. 

69 min: The Titans are closing in on the trophy after Harrison drifted across field to put Jensen Taumoepeau over for a try, Ilias missed the conversion from the sideline. Titans 30 Storm 12.

62 min: A line break by Cooper Bai has given the Titans a second bonus point.

60 min: Highly rated rookie Zane Harrison has put Chris Randall over for the Titans fifth try, earning Gold Coast a bonus point. They have four line-breaks and four offloads so far. Ilias converted. Titans 26 Storm 14.

58 min: Hau has been placed on report for a high shot on Storm rookie forward Cooper Clarke, who represented NSW U19s Origin side.

44 min: Rookie winger Sialetili Faeamani has put the Titans further ahead after centre Jo Jo Fifita won the contest for a Campbell kick and captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui threw an overhead pass for the rugby union convert. Lachlan Ilias missed the conversion. Titans 20 Storm 12. 

Halftime summary: The Titans remain a chance to win the Witzer Pre-season Challenge trophy after scoring three first half tries to take the lead at the interval. The Titans have had just one tackle inside the Storm 20 metre zone but they have defended well and their attack looks sharp, with Jayden Campbell and AJ Brimson in the halves.

36 min: Rookie Arama Hau has charged over to give the Titans the lead. Campbell converted. Titans 16-12.

35 min: Titans secondrower Josh Patston has been ruled out of the match after failing a HIA.

32 min: The Titans have hit back through winger Phil Sami after a Fermour tackle knocked the ball loose from Storm winger Will Warbrick. Jayden Campbell converted from out wide. Storm 12 Titans 10.

28 min: Another Victorian try for the Storm after Faalogo raced through to swoop on a bouncing banana-style kick from Cameron Munster. Wishart converted. Storm 12 Titans 6.

24 min: Storm rookie Hugo Peel has scored after a glut of possession in the Titans end of the field. Peel finished off a backline shift after fellow Victorian Sua Faalogo chimed in to create an overlap for the Storm. Tyran Wishart converted from the sideline. Storm 6 Titans 4 

8 min: Titans secondrower Beau Fermor has opened the scoring after England international AJ Brimson, playing five-eighth, ran the ball to the line and sent the Queensland Origin representative into a hole near the Storm line. Titans 4-0.

1 min: We are underway after a delayed kick-off due to the lightening stoppage in Gosford.

Late Mail

Storm: Boom rookie Hugo Peel will be one of two Victorian juniors in the starting team after being called onto the wing, with former All Blacks 7s international Moses Leo shifting to the centres in place of Nick Meaney. Fellow Victorian Sua Faalogo gets his crack in the No.1 jersey. Eight members of the grand final side will line up against the Titans including the entire front row of Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant and Josh King and winger Will Warbrick. Cameron Munster and Tyran Wishart team up in the halves with Jahrome Hughes biding his time until Round 1 after undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of an arduous 2025 campaign. New recruits Davvy Moale and Trent Toelau have been named on the interchange alongside Trent Loiero and Cooper Clarke. 

Titans: Jayden Campbell, Keano Kini, Jojo Fifita and Josh Patston return from All Stars duty to bolster a Titans squad that also includes AJ Brimson at five-eighth, skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui at prop, Beau Fermor in the back row and Sam Verrills at hooker. Playmakers Lachlan Ilias and Zane Harrison showed some quality touches in last week's win over the Dolphins but will come from the extended bench after making way for Brimson and Campbell. New recruit Oliver Pascoe has entered the NRL concussion protocols after suffering a head knock playing for the Indigenous All Stars last Sunday.

Roosters v Eels at Polytec Stadium, Gosford

Fulltime: The Eels have all but secured the Witzer Pre-season Challenge trophy after scoring four unanswered tries in the second half to defeat the Roosters 28-22. The Eels rounded out a perfect Witzer Pre-Season Challenge campaign with a come from behind win over the Roosters that has them poised to claim the title and the 100K prizemoney. On the back of an impressive win over the Sharks in which they scooped the full 15 points on offer, the Eels again racked up 15 points as they ran in six tries to down the Roosters 28-22 in Gosford. With bonus points for 5+ tries, 5+ line breaks and 10+ offloads the Eels sit on 30 points with only the Titans left to try and take the crown from them.

78 min: Roosters prop Taylor Losalu has been placed on report for a high tackle on Ryley Smith.

77 min: Roosters secondrower Salesi Foketi has come from the field with an eye injury.

75 min: Samrani has his second try after Papalii burst through the defence and passed to the Lebanon World Cup hopeful. Smith missed the conversion. Eels 28 Roosters 22.

69 min: Eels back Jordan Samrani has given his side the lead after racing through to beat Nawaqanitawase to a perfectly placed grubber from rookie Lorenzo Talataina. Jonah Pezet converted. Eels 24 Roosters 22.

63 min: The second half has come alive with Russell scoring out wide after Brian Kelly produced a one-on-one strip on Nawaqanitawase, who had prevented a 40/20 kick from Riley Smith. Kelly broke into the clear before passing to an unmarked Russell to score. Smith missed the conversion. Roosters 22 Eels 20.

58 min: Iongi shows his class to put Jake Tago over in the corner with a no-look cut-out pass for the winger to score the first points of the second half. With Moses off the field, Sean Russell has taken over the goal kicking duties and his conversion attempt from the sideline hit the uprights. Roosters 22 Eels 16.

54 min: Walker has put the Roosters in a great attacking position with a 20/40.

50 min: Mark Nawaqanitawase has gone to fullback in a Roosters reshuffle, with captain James Tedesco coming off. Tom Rodwell is on the wing and his teenage brother Toby has replaced Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.

41 min: The second half is underway, with Joash Papalii on for Mitchell Moses at the Eels scrumbase.

Halftime summary: Roosters halfback Sam Walker has shown in just 40 minutes that he won't be afraid to call the shots in his new partnership with Daly Cherry-Evans this season. Walker scored a try on the right edge and laid a try on for secondrower Angus Crichton on the left to give the Roosters a commanding lead. Play was delayed for 40 minutes due to lightning strikes and it was the Eels who came out firing after the re-start but the Roosters finished the first half stronger. This has been arguably the best match of the Witzer Pre-season Challenge so far and it will be interesting to see how both teams approach the second half.

39 min: Walker has put Crichton over with a short pass close to the Eels line. Walker converted. Roosters 22 Eels 12.

37 min: Walker has stepped his way over the line to score after beating Doorey and Isaiah Iongi. Walker converted. Roosters 16 Eels 12.

Storm v Titans update: The kick off in the Storm v Titans match at Sunshine Coast Stadium is set to be delayed due to the 40-minute lightning stoppage in Gosford.

32 min: Play has gone end to end with both sides making long range breaks only to lose possession.

28 min: Dylan Walker has literally just come on the field to create a long range try for Mitchell Moses after sending Matt Doorey racing into the clear. Moses backed up to score under the posts and give himself an easy conversion attempt. Eels 12 Roosters 10

24 min: A wonderful chase by Billy Smith to run down Will Penisini after the Eels centre picked up a loose pass from Angus Crichton to race away. Smith got to Penisini just before the tryline and bundled the Tongan international into touch.

22 min: Talau has made the Eels pay by leaping above Simonssen to snatch a kick from Ioelu and score in the corner. Walker missed the conversion attempt. Roosters. 10 Eels 6.

20 min: Jack Williams has been penalised for a high shot on Roosters recruit Tommy Talau.

15 min: Bailey Simonssen has been denied an opportunity to put the Eels ahead after diving over in the corner, with the ball ruled to have been placed on James Tedesco's foot.

14 min: Back to back errors by Roosters backs Billy Smith and Junior Pauga have given the Eels a good attacking opportunity.

7 min: Josh Addo-Carr has given Eels fans something to cheer about after finishing a backline movement to score out wide. Moses converts from out wide. Roosters 6 Eels 6.

We are back: The Eels kick off after a 40 minute lightning delay.

Play to resume: The teams are warming up and the game will re-start at 6:50pm (AEST)

Lightning update: The weather has worsened but is expected to clear soon as the storm moves away from Gosford. 

Lightning delay: Play has been suspended due to lightning and players have left the field. The lightning delay is not expected to be too long. Once the players are given the all clear to resume playing, both teams will undergo a three-minute warm-up period. 

4 min: Collins has scored the opening try after swooping on a loose ball from a Sam Walker kick. Walker converted. Roosters 6-0.

2 min: Almost on cue, the rain has started on the Central Coast and officials are monitoring possible lighting strikes.

1 min: Mitchell Moses has kicked off for the Eels and Lindsay Collins has taken the first run for the Roosters.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed  before kick-off that Benaiah Ioelu would start the season in the No.9 jersey, with Connor Watson playing a utility role and interchanging with the Samoan rookie. 

Late Mail

Roosters: Benaiah Ioelu is the starting hooker in No.19 with Reece Robson injuring his thumb during the week. Siua Wong will start in the back row and Nat Butcher will miss the game.

Eels: Jason Ryles' men line up as named on Tuesday.

 

Sharks v Raiders at Polytec Stadium, Gosford

Full-time: The Sharks run in nine tries in a comprehensive victory as a number of their stars enjoyed a solid hit-out before Round 1. Big metres from Toby Rudolf (120m), KL Iro (145m) and Hohepa Puru (152m) while Oregon Kaufusi had eight tackle breaks and Sione Katoa and Hohepa Puru seven each.

78 min: Another Sharks raid on the left edge and Michael Gabrael pulls through a tackle by Mark Tuialii and shrugs off Braydan Darmody to slam the ball down in the corner. Niwhai Puru misses from wide out. Sharks 48-6.

74 min: Sharks forward Tuku Hau Tapuha leaves the field for a HIA.

73 min: Reward for effort for the Raiders with Shaun Packer picking up a try after Owen Pattie darted out of dummy half and picked up a hard running Packer who couldn't be stopped. Chevy Stewart converts. Sharks 44-6.

69 min: A clever flick pass from Mark Tuialii gives Jed Stuart a chance on the right edge but the Sharks scramble well and deny Stuart. 

66 min: Michael Gabrael chases a Harrison Hassett grubber but loses control as he tries to ground the ball. Referee Gerard Sutton goes upstairs recommending a penalty try after Jed Stuart grabbed Gabrael's jumper. The bunker agrees and the penalty try is awarded. Sharks 44-0.

61 min: Time for a drinks break again with the Sharks in total control.

60 min: Harrison Hassett is the next to help himself to a four-pointer after an offload from Niwhai Puru bounces kindly for him to power across. Puru converts. Sharks 38-0.

58 min: A sweet pass from Riley Pollard to put a rampaging Siosifa Talakai into a hole from 10 metres out and there's no stopping the big man. Niwhai Puru converts. Sharks 32-0.

54 min: Sharks winger Sione Katoa leaves the field after copping an accidental poke in the eye.

52 min: Billy Burns gets into dummy half and surges his way over for another Sharks try. Niwhai Puru misses the conversion. Sharks 26-0.

48 min: Billy Burns looks to play short to KL Iro but the pass goes astray and we have 19 errors for the day.

47 min: Gun playmaker Nicho Hynes and fullback Will Kennedy are done for the day and will be wrapped in cotton wool ahead of a Round 1 clash against the Titans on March 7.

45 min: The Sharks have a fourth try after Nicho Hynes takes the line on from close range and picks up Hohepa Puru to slam it down under the posts. Hynes converts. Sharks 22-0.

43 min: Nicho Hynes goes to the boot at the end of the set but his grubber is easily cleaned up by Owen Pattie.

Dashing Daine: He may be on the wrong side of the scoreboard but Raiders fullback Daine Laurie could hold his head high with 12 runs for 110 metres, three tackle breaks and a number of safe catches under the high ball.

Half-time: A comfortable lead for the Sharks with Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall calling the shots and the outside men cashing in. A total of 18 errors made for a stop-start 40 minutes but the cool heads of their playmakers ensured the Sharks would lead by 16 at the break.

38 min: Sam Stonestreet gets his name on the scoresheet after Nicho Hynes, Braydon Trindall and KL Iro combine on the right edge to send the winger over. After having his 2025 season cut short by an ankle injury in Round 11, Stonestreet will look to make the most of his chances in 2026 with Ronaldo Mulitalo facing an extended period out with an ACL injury. Sharks 16-0.

36 min: More good aerial work from Daine Laurie to defuse a Braydon Trindall bomb and sprint back to the 20m line for a tap and seven-tackle set.

35 min: The Sharks' goal line defence stands firm and the Raiders come up empty when Jed Stuart's grubber rolls over the dead ball line.

31 min: Ethan Alaia grubbers into the in goal and it's too deep but Braydon Trindall is penalised for obstruction on one of the Canberra chasers.

30 min: Jesse Ramien gets over the stripe for the Sharks but Daine Laurie shows great strength to hold him up and force a knock on as Ramien tries to ground it.

28 min: More sloppy play from Canberra with Zac Hosking's offload finding no one before Savelio Tamale adds to the error tally with a mistake coming out of the red zone.

23 min: The Sharks are in again after Blayke Brailey sneaks up the short side and finds Briton Nikora who offloads for Jesse Ramien to score. Nicho Hynes adds the extras. Sharks 10-0.

22 min: Time for a drinks break in the testing conditions in Gosford. The Raiders went to the break on the back of another error in the ruck from Zac Hosking.

19 min: Noah Martin comes up with strong contact on Billy Burns who puts the ball down for the fourth error of the day by the Sharks.

17 min: First try of the day goes to Sione Katoa courtesy of some clever ball-playing from Braydon Trindall, back with a bang from Indigenous All Stars duty. Nicho Hynes pushes the conversion across the face. Sharks 4-0.

15 min: Briton Nikora runs a trademark line on the right edge but puts the ball down in contact before Xavier Savage hands possession straight back with another error.

13 min: The Raiders build pressure and Ethan Afamasaga grubbers on the last but Will Kennedy is on the spot to collect it and come away.

10 min: The Sharks create space on the left edge but Will Kennedy's lofted pass for winger Sam Stonestreet sails into touch.

9 min: A mistake by Ethan Alaia coming out of his own end puts the Raiders under the pump.

8 min: Braydon Trindall goes to the air but Daine Laurie handles the high ball well and the Raiders come away.

6 min: The first penalty of the day goes to the Raiders after Jesse Colquhoun is pinged for a flop.

2 min: The Sharks let a high kick bounce but get away with it when Raiders back-rower Noah Martin is penalised for being offside on the second kick after the loose ball had been toed through. A close call for the Sharks but they hang on.

Late Mail

Sharks: One late change for the Sharks with Mawene Hiroti (knee soreness) dropping off the extended bench.

Raiders: Ricky Stuart's men will line up as named on Tuesday. Jayden Brailey plays his first game as a Raider at hooker and comes up against brother Blayke.

 

Storm v Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium