Warriors centre Solomone Kata barges his way through the Gold Coast defensive line in the clash on Saturday. The visitors proved too strong running out easy winners. Photo / Getty Images
Playmakers stand tall
Halfback Shaun Johnson and five-eighth Chad Townsend were at their best behind a dominant forward pack and the Warriors need them to play to at that level every week if they hope to go deep into this year's finals race. Sam Tomkins' return to fullback helped ease the
pressure on the two playmakers and provided the Warriors with a classy ball-player out wide and another organisational voice in defence. The England international will only get better and likewise his combinations with the halves will develop to add another dimension to the Warriors' attack.
Rookies hitting the mark
The Warriors' young outside backs continue to shine with left centre Solomone Kata and right wing Ken Maumalo looking sharp and troubling the Titans' defence with every touch. Kata was a real handful, finishing the game with six tackle breaks - four in the first quarter - and regularly helping to propel the Warriors forward early in the tackle count with Maumalo and left-wing veteran Manu Vatuvei. An ankle injury forced Maumalo off the park in the second half but the backline reshuffle did little to disrupt things, with young back-rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner - in just his third NRL game - handling the shift to centre with aplomb.
Warriors right at home on GC
Once again the Warriors enjoyed tremendous support with Kiwi expats dominating the Cbus Super Stadium to see their side secure their fifth straight win on the Gold Coast. Titans five-eighth Aidan Sezer was booed as he lined up a sideline conversion after Josh Hoffman's opening try. "It's pretty special with the support we get," said Warriors captain Simon Mannering. "It's probably the only home game the Titans get where they get booed when they run out at the start of the game ... We love coming up here to play and to get a result like that tonight is great with the turnout we get."
