It’s crazy to think there was ever such a lengthy debate over who should be the Titans fullback after Keano Kini produced arguably his finest 80 minutes in the NRL to help Gold Coast heap more misery on the wounded Eels who were booed at full-time.
Kini had a hand in his side’s first four tries as the Titans secured a very rare win in Sydney with a 52-10 victory at CommBank Stadium to record their second-highest NRL score.
Josh Hannay made it clear from the moment he took over as coach that Kini was his number one option at fullback, and the pint-sized speedster repaid the faith with video game numbers.
Kini set up all three of their first-half tries including a stunning spin move for AJ Brimson to score, while it was his long-range break off a kick that ended up with rookie winger Sialetili Faeamani to make it 18-0 after 15 minutes.
The fullback then burst through the middle to set up Jayden Campbell early in the second half, with Kini finishing the afternoon with 226 metres, four assists, three line-breaks and nine tackle busts.
He wasn’t the only one who produced some magic in attack with Jojo Fifita scooping up a loose ball and then linking up with Phil Sami who finished off a cracking 85-metre try, while Campbell plucked an intercept to put the cherry on top.
DEFENSIVE WOES
The Eels have slumped to second last after six rounds and boast the worst defence in the NRL this season after they leaked nine tries and missed 43 tackles against a team that hasn’t looked great in attack.
The blue and golds have conceded 226 points already this season with both edges and their middle exposed by Gold Coast.
It’s a major concern for coach Jason Ryles who would have been filthy with the ease in which Cooper Bai barged his way to the line from close range in the second half.
Their attack wasn’t much better, with their first try coming off what looked to be a forward pass as their fans let out a chorus of boos as the visitors reached 50.
INJURY CRISIS
Parramatta’s injury crisis has worsened with powerhouse forwards Sam Tuivaiti and Kelma Tuilagi set to miss their next game after they both had head knocks on Sunday afternoon.
The Eels are already without J’maine Hopgood, Matt Doorey and Bailey Simonsson for the season, while Isaiah Iongi and Jonah Pezet headline the list of other stars currently on the sidelines.
Tuivaiti had only been on for about 10 minutes when his head cannoned into Arama Hau’s hip as he tried to make a tackle, with the bench prop immediately ruled out.