Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have been eliminated from the quarter-finals of the Auckland Nines tournament at Eden Park.
The Sea Eagles lost 24-4 to Gold Coast Titans but recorded their best ever finish in the Nines. However, the team paid a price with injuries to Jake Trbojevic, Jamie Buhrer, Nathan Green, and Jayden Hodges.
Following a suspected season ending ACL injury to Hodges earlier in the day, the Sea Eagles went into the match with just 13 men, leaving just four players for the interchange bench.
After a quiet opening five minutes, the Sea Eagles opened the scoring with a try in the right corner to Brayden Wiliame. Tom Trbojevic failed to convert the try for a 4-0 lead.
Trbojevic left the field a minute later with a right ankle injury.
The Titans drew level when Nene McDonald scored next to the posts. Tyrone Roberts converted for a 6-4 lead at half-time.
2nd Half
Trbojevic returned to the field for the second half.
The Titans extended their lead to 11-4 in the 10th minute with a runaway try under the posts to David Mead. The try was converted for a 13-4 lead.
Two more tries to Chris McQueen and Anthony Don saw the Titans go out to a 24-4 lead after 18 minutes.
