The 2017 Downer NRL Auckland Nines tournament got off to a flying start as the Gold Coast Titans ran in five tries in a 25-4 romp of defending NRL Telstra Premiership champions the Cronulla Sharks.

The Titans were 13-0 up before Cronulla even touched the ball, thanks to a Kane Elgey try in the bonus zone and a powerful charging effort from Nathaniel Peteru.

Wearing No.38, Jarryd Hayne then latched on to a towering bomb to score out wide to give the Titans a 17-0 lead at the break.

The Sharks hit back early in the second half via Kurt Capewell, but his effort was cancelled out by further tries to Tyrone Roberts and Anthony Don.

Titans 25 (Kane Elgey, Nathaniel Peteru, Jarryd Hayne, Tyrone Roberts, Anthony Don tries; Tyrone Roberts 1, Williams Zillman 1 goals) def. Sharks 4 (Kurt Capewell try). Half-time: 17-0.