The return of Kalyn Ponga was not enough to stop a David Fifita-inspired Gold Coast romping to a 42-16 NRL win over a depleted Newcastle at Cbus Super Stadium. To be fair to Ponga, it is unlikely anyone would have made much of a difference on Saturday against a rampant Titans who ran in eight tries to three including a first career hat-trick for Fifita. Plenty of eyes may have been on Knights star Ponga in his first game of 2021 after the ex-Queensland fullback was welcomed back from off-season shoulder surgery. But it was Fifita who stole the show as the Titans claimed their third win in five games to pile on more misery for the injury-hit Knights. Ponga's return had been welcome good news for Newcastle, who had lost 10 of their top-29 squad to injury or suspension in the first four rounds. But there was more pain to come for the visitors, who lost try-scoring lock Chris Randall (shoulder) in the 19th minute. For the Titans, pivot Ash Taylor (broken hand) returned to combine with No.7 Jamal Fogarty who showed no signs of a corked thigh suffered last round as the hosts ran amok, with Corey Thompson and Patrick Herbert both bagging doubles. Fifita crossed for his first in the 22nd minute when he left Frizell in his wake before skittling more Knights to crash over again in the 32nd and 52nd. It marked Gold Coast's sixth straight win over Newcastle, who have not tasted victory on the tourist strip since 2015.
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