Experienced Gold Coast star Evania Isa'ako is hoping her side can continue to create club history as her side look to test themselves against last year’s premiers the Broncos in their latest Queensland derby.
The Titans have won their past six games – a club record – to sit second on the ladder and are looking to continue that streak against rivals Brisbane in front of their home fans at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Broncos come into the game with rare back-to-back loses and are rearing to go to try and arrest a drop down the ladder with finals fast approaching.
“I love playing the Broncos,” Isa’ako said.
“It's a game that we're very passionate about coming out on top.
“The past a couple of games haven't gone their way, but for us, it's just focusing on our processes and trusting in the process and that's what's gotten us on top the last few weeks.”
After starting the season with a loss to 2025 grand finalists the Roosters, the game presents another chance for the Titans to test themselves against top-flight opposition, having had the past few weeks to build on confidence and combinations.
“We didn't come out to crash hot against the Roosters (in Round 1), but we've been able to keep basically the same team on the park for the last six weeks, which is something we haven't had the luxury of the last few seasons,” Isa’ako said.
“We've been able to build some great momentum, which is good for us leading into this game because it’s definitely an important one.
“We've seen a lot of teams have a lot of injuries and we've been lucky we were handed those cards really early on.
“To be able to keep the same team on the park … is crucial for us and then to just be able to keep that momentum leading into the final series as well.”
One aspect of their recent success has been the move of the Queensland, Australia and Samoa representative from the backs to the forwards since making her return to the field after having last year off to grow her family.
“It's been good. I’ve loved it,” Isa’ako said of her move to the second row this season.
“Obviously, (it has been good) building really good combos with Loz [Lauren Brown] and Chappo [Jaime Chapman] and GG [Georgia Grey] out of that edge there, but also to be able to work closely with the middles, the G Hale’s [Georgia Hale] and the Laika’s [Clarke] and the Fanua’s [Rimoni] in there as well.
“It's been really cool to move from fullback into the front line and figure out those combinations with both the middles and the edge players as well.”
The Titans host the Broncos to launch Sunday’s NRLW action with three games played across the day.
Match: Titans v Broncos
Round 8 -
home Team
Titans
2nd Position
away Team
Broncos
5th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
