Rugby League: Warriors impress in final trial match

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in action against the Titans in 2017. Photo / Getty Images

The Warriors have beaten the Gold Coast Titans 20-14 in their final pre-season fixture on the Sunshine Coast ahead of the 2018 NRL season.

Stephen Kearney's men produced a strong display against a depleted Titans side to secure a four-tries-to-three win.

While the result means little and the score suggested a close encounter the Warriors defended strongly throughout the match – the Titans tries came from a kick rebound and twice from second-phase play after a long attacking period – and got through the match without injury concerns.

New recruits Blake Green, Adam Blair and Tohu Harris gave fans a glimpse of what they will bring to the side in 2018. Green was heavily involved with the ball and produced a typically solid display guiding the side around the park. He combined nicely with halfback Shaun Johnson for one of the tries.

Harris also had a big workload and stood out on both sides of the ball while Blair hounded the Titans with his line-speed and defensive qualities.

Outside back Peta Hiku also looked in good touch.

There were no obvious injuries for the Warriors and they should have almost a full squad to pick from for their opening game of the season against the Rabbitohs in Perth in a fortnight.

The match began in hot and humid conditions and the Titans opened the scoring when halfback Ash Taylor got to a rebounded kick first in the in-goal.

The Warrior answered through David Fusitua in the corner before Solomone Kata took advantage of an overlap to put the visitors in front.

Fusitua added a second try early in the second half before Titans winger Tyrone Roberts-Davis bagged a double in the final quarter of the match, when heavy rain swept across the ground.

Rookie hooker Sam Cook scored a try for the Warriors in between Roberts-Davis' tries.

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