Roosters unravel late as Titans end nine-year hoodoo

The Gold Coast Titans have broken a nine-year hoodoo and consigned the Sydney Roosters to their worst start since 2016 with a stunning 30-12 upset win at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

In what was a scrappy and stop-start affair for much of the contest, it was Jayden Campbell’s 90-metre intercept try midway through the second half that blew the game open and flipped the momentum entirely for the $2.65 outsiders with the top NRL bookmakers.

The electrifying playmaker was the clear standout, finishing with a try, five goals and a hand in several crucial moments as Des Hasler’s men ran in three unanswered tries in the final 12 minutes.

“It was a good old-fashioned ambush,” said Fox League’s Michael Ennis.

“The Roosters self-destructed.”

NRL Round 4: Roosters v Titans highlights

The Tricolours had looked well-positioned when they led 12-8 shortly after half-time, with winger Dominic Young finishing a slick right-edge movement following a Titans error from the kick-off.

But despite dominating territory and line breaks, Trent Robinson’s side failed to finish sets and crumbled under pressure — completing just 24 of 42 sets at an abysmal 57% rate.

“That’s not NRL standard,” a frustrated Robinson said post-match.

“We created opportunities, but couldn’t build any pressure. That final 15 minutes we just weren’t calm enough to wrestle back momentum.”

The win snapped an 11-game losing streak for the Titans against the Roosters, dating back to 2016, and offered a confidence boost for a team still trying to gel its new-look spine.

Campbell, playing in the halves alongside AJ Brimson, produced his best performance of the year, while Phillip Sami, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Brimson all crossed late to seal the result.

Hasler praised the character of his side after a “scrappy” contest, singling out Campbell and Brimson’s instinctive play.

“They came up with some big moments,” he said.

“It wasn’t pretty at times, but I was pleased with how we scrambled and stuck to it.”

James Tedesco was among the Roosters’ best, running for 210 metres and constantly probing through the middle.

But his efforts weren’t enough to lift a side that continues to falter at key moments.

“We’re showing signs, but we’re not tough enough right now to grind out wins,” Tedesco said.

“It was right there for us, and we let it slip again.”

The Roosters now sit 14th on the ladder with just one win from four starts and face arch-rivals South Sydney next week in a clash that could define their early-season direction.

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