Foran backs Titans No.7 Boyd to bounce back from howler

By: Joel Gould Time published 2023-03-15 at 03:31 AM (GMT +11:00)

Tanah Boyd will be better against Melbourne after a poor game against the Dragons, but Kieran Foran says the Gold Coast half was not the only culprit.

KIERAN FORAN speaks to the media during a New Zealand Warriors NRL media session at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.
KIERAN FORAN speaks to the media during a New Zealand Warriors NRL media session at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Gold Coast veteran Kieran Foran has backed his halves partner Tanah Boyd to bounce back quickly from his howler against St George Illawarra.

Halfback Boyd didn't handle the stiff wind at Kogarah in the 32-18 loss in round two and his kicking game was poor.

He failed to find touch either side of half-time with penalty kicks for the line and a line dropout also did not go the required distance, gifting the Dragons points and field position.

After the match coach Justin Holbrook said his team did too many "dumb things" to win.

Boyd was superb at the end of last year at No.7 and started this season well in the trials and in round one

Foran, who played No.6 against the Dragons, said Boyd was not to blame for the loss and added the 22-year-old would be better in the home clash against Melbourne on Saturday.

"He is his harshest critic. He is an extremely hard worker, Tanah, and he knows where he went wrong," Foran said.

"He accepts responsibility for that but we have all got a job to do around him. He didn't find touch a couple of times but ... there was far more that went wrong during the game and we have to all take accountability.

"Tanah will be fine. He will pick himself back up and get himself ready to go this weekend and I am sure he will put in a great performance."

Foran said Boyd was confident in his own ability and would not suffer any long-term loss of confidence.

"He is a really confident young bloke and he backs his ability. He has perked back up again (at training) and he's ready to go," Foran said.

The Titans led 12-2 against the Dragons before losing momentum and control of the match in a 10-minute period before half-time where the hosts scored three tries.

Foran said the team would have to be "far more resilient" against a Storm side that would be smarting from their own bad showing against Canterbury.

The Titans will be without hooker Sam Verrills (shoulder) against the Storm.

His place will be taken by Chris Randall. Centre Brian Kelly returns from suspension and Jojo Fifita misses out with Phil Sami shifting from centre to the wing.