Heavyweight title credentials questioned with another loss late in the season.
In one of the biggest upsets of the NRL season the Gold Coast Titans have lifted their flagging finals hopes with a 30-22 victory against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Battling a severe injury toll, the Titans rallied in the second half when the Roosters looked set to add the Gold Coast side as another scalp in 2013.
However, late tries to Brad Takairangi and an intercept effort by Dave Taylor put the icing on the cake for one of the best wins in the Titans’ short history.
The Roosters have now lost their last two games in a row after cruising through much of the season, with questions beginning to arise as to how they will deal with the pressure that comes with finishing in the top two.
When asked if he believed his side could turn its form around in a week, Sydney coach Trent Robinson said: “It certainly can.”
“I thought they (Titans) were really good today and they deserve the result they got.
“I certainly don’t think we were looking at round 26, but we’re about to find out how good we are when he go out to ANZ (Stadium to play South Sydney next weekend).”
Gold Coast stunned the home side early when Greg Bird found veteran Steve Michaels with an excellent pass in the third minute to see them open the scoring.
Five minutes later the lead was out to 12 after hooker Beau Falloon scored under the posts, with the tri-colours hitting back through Mitch Aubusson on the stroke of half-time.
Prop Sam Moa put the Roosters in front for the first time in the game soon after the break when he rumbled across the line from close.
But it would be the Titans who would have the last laugh as they secured the vital win, with John Cartwright’s men hoping to keep their good form and luck going when they tackle the Melbourne Storm in the final round of the year.
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