NSW star’s jaw broken, QLD sweating on enforcer as Brimson stars in Titans’ rout: Big Hits

The Titans beat the Tigers 28-12 on the back of a masterclass from AJ Brimson, while Api Koroisau suffered a broken jaw and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is on report in huge Origin news at Cbus Super Stadium.

“That is a massive concern for the Tigers and the Blues,” Corey Parker said of Koroisau.

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“I spoke to Api Koroisau and he is in a really dejected state. He has a broken jaw. He will not return and they will get some scans.

“He has gone in an ambulance to hospital. They will get a diagnosis on how severe that is and whether there is surgery or not. But huge news for the Blues and the Tigers.”

Brimson celebrated his return from a hamstring injury in style to dive over from close range as the Titans took an early lead.

Koroisau left the field after a collision with Fa’asuamaleaui and the Titans skipper was placed on report.

David Klemmer charged over form close range as the Tigers took the lead.

Tanah Boyd set up Klese Haas with a superb pass as the Titans took back the advantage.

Brimson then turned provider for a flying Jayden Campbell to pounce on a pinpoint kick in the in goal to extend the Titans’ lead.

Fa’asuamaleaui charged through to score beside the posts and put his side in the box seat heading into the final quarter.

Campbell then broke away before being chased down by Jahream Bula, but Phillip Sami scored in his 100th game to all but seal the result.

Luke Brooks went off with a hamstring injury at the same time after pulling up lame in the chase in another huge blow for the Tigers.

Bula broke free to score a brilliant try and give the Tigers a sniff at a late comeback, but it was too little too late as the Titans secured a deserved victory.

BIG HITS

BRIMSON SHINES IN RETURN AS NEW LOOK SPINE CLICKS

AJ Brimson returned from a hamstring injury to inspire the Titans to a drought-breaking 28-12 win over the Tigers as their new look spine clicked.

Brimson had 70 run metres to go with three tackle busts, a linebreak, a linebreak assist, two try assists and a try.

“AJ Brimson coming back from injury had a great game,” Gorden Tallis said.

“It was a good performance form the Titans.”

Brimson clicked with Jayden Campbell at No.6 and Sam Verrills back in the No.9 jersey.

Matty Johns believes Brimson and Campbell are so similar and yet still complement each other well.

“AJ just pops up everywhere,” Johns said.

“His energy is infectious. When he came back I thought he would play No.6 and Campbell would play No.1, but they are interchangeable really. They both play the same role.

“With AJ and Jayden Campbell, when they said Campbell was going to No.6, I was going oh geez, I don’t know about the front line, but geez he equips himself well.

“Defensively he just gets it done, but with the football he is electric.”

Tallis compared Brimson to Cameron Munster the way he bobs up around the football.

“They both like running the football,” Tallis said of Brimson and Campbell.

“They both are not great at organising, but AJ Brimson is just one of those players. He is full of energy.

“We saw him play Origin a couple of years ago and he is a bit like Cameron Munster. They are sort of unpredictable and they are happy just to bounce around and break up the structure.”

Tallis believes Campbell needs to be on the field for the full 80 minutes as he always creates opportunities and can finish them as well.

“He had a poor game against the Bulldogs a couple of weeks ago, they threw him in at five-eighth and he is one of those guys that just needs to be on the field no matter what,” Tallis said.

“No matter what number they play him he just seems to find himself around the ball.

“He scored a try tonight that only Campbell would have scored.”

KOROISAU AND BROOKS INJURED IN TIGERS’ DOUBLE BLOW

It was a horror night for the Tigers who lost Blues incumbent Api Koroisau to a broken jaw and halfback Luke Brooks to a hamstring tear.

Johns believes Damien Cook is the man to step in for Koroisau in Origin II, but Bryan Fletcher threw up another option.

“The big news for the Tigers is a broken jaw for Api Koroisau,” Johns said.

“This brings Cook into the equation. Cook is the logical choice. You are a big fan of Reece Robson Fletch.”

“I like Robson, I know he was around the camp a couple of years ago,” Fletcher said.

“I just think he is made for Origin. He is tough and good service out of No.9.

“You would think Cook is the logical choice, but I think Reece Robson certainly deserves to be in the conversation.”

Johns believes Robson or Sharks utility Cameron McInnes could fill the utility void.

“Robson could be a possible No.14 and Cameron McInnes as well,” Johns said.

Nathan Hindmarsh believes the Blues missed having fresh legs at dummyhalf in game one.

“It is a big blow for the Tigers and also for the Blues,” Hindmarsh said.

“He is their incumbent hooker, so not good news all around for Api and the Blues especially.

“I suppose the Blues were missing a bit of spark late in both those halves coming back through the middle with possibly another dummyhalf role there.”

Johns believes the Tigers will struggle in the absence of two of their key playmakers.

“The other blow for the Tigers is a hamstring tear to Luke Brooks because he has been in fantastic form,” Johns said.

“He has found some form of late and it is a big blow for the Tigers,” Hindmarsh said.

“He tried to stride out doing his best in the run chase and the hamstring has got him.”

TINO’S MIXED BAG AS MAROONS SWEAT ON ENFORCER

The Maroons and the Titans will be sweating on the match review committee after Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was placed on report for a raised forearm in the Koroisau tackle.

The Titans skipper was one of the best players on the field if not the best after finishing with 143 metres, two tackle busts, two offloads, a linebreak, 31 tackles and a try, but faces a nervous wait.

Hindmarsh does not believe Fa’asuamaleaui deserves to be suspended, despite a similar incident involving Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney.

“I know he has broken his jaw, but I don’t think Tino has much to worry about,” Hindmarsh said.

“It is not an elbow cocked.”

Johns believes he could get a week as a repeat offender.

“It is not a classic elbow,” Johns said.

“He might get a week.”

However, Tallis believes it doesn’t warrant a suspension and praised Fa’asuamaleaui for another captain’s knock.

“He won’t get a week for that,” Tallis said.

“Tino was absolutely outstanding tonight.

“That was his third game in eight days. He has been outstanding for the club.”

Parker agreed Fa’asuamaleaui is carrying the Titans on his back and leading by example every week.

“Fa’asuamaleaui is there a better inspiration for this side,” Parker said.

“He is the exception to the rule. 143 run metres this evening.

“Last week he started off the bench and finished the game with a game high 164 metres with a try.

“He has backed it up here tonight with some bone rattling defence.

“He is certainly the man you want to build this club around.”

MATCH PREVIEW

AJ Brimson returns from a hamstring injury as the Gold Coast Titans host the Wests Tigers in a crucial clash at Cbus Super Stadium.

The Titans are 1-17, while for the Tigers Shawn Blorestarts at lock, withFonua Pole shifting to the bench and Alex Seyfarthdropping out.