BRISBANE BRONCOS 23 GOLD COAST TITANS 28
CALLUM WALKER, Suncorp Stadium, Saturday

KEANO KINI ensured it was five losses on the bounce for Brisbane Broncos as the Gold Coast fullback struck late with a mesmerising four-pointer.

The livewire chipped the Broncos defence before regathering and sprinting home with three minutes to go as Brisbane were once more left reeling.

The home side had hit first through Brendan Piakura before Kotoni Staggs finished expertly for a 12-0 Brisbane lead after 23 minutes.

But the Titans hit back with two efforts of their own before half-time. Kurtis Morrin dotted down on the half-hour then Phillip Sami stormed through a huge gap and rounded Reece Walsh with ease for a scintillating score.

Jayden Campbell completed the reversal after the break with a quickfire double, leaving numerous Brisbane defenders in their wake as the Titans now led 22-12.

Jesse Arthars reduced the deficit to six on the hour and when Grant Anderson notched his first Brisbane four-pointer, suddenly the scores were level with 13 minutes remaining.

Adam Reynolds slotted over a drop-goal late on to make it 23-22, but there was still time left for Kini to produce his moment of magic to break Brisbane hearts once more.

BRONCOS: 1 Reece Walsh, 2 Josiah Karapani, 3 Kotoni Staggs, 4 Grant Anderson, 5 Jesse Arthars, 6 Thomas Duffy, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Preston Riki, 9 Cory Paix, 10 Payne Haas, 11 Brendan Piakura, 12 Jack Gosiewski, 13 Xavier Willison. Subs: 14 Ben Hunt, 15 Ben Talty, 16 Va’a Semu, 17 Aublix Tawha (not used), 18 Ezra Mam, 19 Hayze Perham (not used)

Tries: Piakura (20), Staggs (23), Arthars (57), Anderson (67); Goals: Reynolds 3/4; Field-goals: Reynolds (73)

TITANS: 1 Keano Kini, 2 Jensen Taumoepeau, 3 Jojo Fifita, 4 AJ Brimson, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 Jayden Campbell, 7 Zane Harrison, 8 Moeaki Fotuaika, 9 Oliver Pascoe, 10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11 Arama Hau, 12 Beau Fermor, 13 Cooper Bai. Subs: 14 Kurtis Morrin, 15 Josh Patston (not used), 16 Chris Randall, 17 Klese Haas, 18 Jaylan De Groot, 19 Luke Sommerton (not used)

Tries: Morrin (30), Sami (38), Campbell (49, 54), Kini (77); Goals: Campbell 4/5

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 12-6, 12-10; 12-16, 12-22, 16-22, 22-22, 23-22, 23-28

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Broncos: Xavier Willison; Titans: Jayden Campbell

Penalty count: 2-5; Half-time: 12-10; Referee: Jarrod Cole; Attendance: 41,807