Gold Coast could face a week without a home and their first-choice halves after Jamal Fogarty was injured in the Titans’ 20-4 loss to Canberra.
Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad put on a clinic for Canberra, starring in attack and defence for the Green Machine.
Josh Papalii was also powerful up front, scoring a crucial second-half try after the Raiders had taken an 8-4 lead to the break.
But while Canberra were smashed by injuries last week, it was the Titans who were left licking their wounds after the relocated match at Sydney’s Kogarah Oval on Saturday night.
Already without five-eighth Ash Taylor for another week, Fogarty limped off in the second half with a quad injury after battling through the first.
It left Erin Clark and Tyrone Peachey playing on the ball, with 20-year-old Tanah Boyd already wearing the No.6 jersey.
On the road and uncertain where they will host Newcastle next week due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Titans also lost off-contract fan-favourite Anthony Don to a serious-looking hamstring injury.
But the injuries should not take away from Canberra’s win, which moved them into the NRL’s top four.
Nicoll-Klokstad totalled 260 metres from fullback, busting eight tackles and setting up Papalii’s try with a dancing run on the previous play.
He also pulled off a superb try-saver on Don in the first half, knocking the ball out of the winger’s hands after Jack Wighton had done likewise 13 minutes earlier.
Papalii finished with 175 metres after coming off the bench, while Ryan Sutton bagged his third try of the year late when he pushed his way over.
It was also a memorable night for Jarrod Croker, who equalled Andrew Johns as the fourth highest points-scorer of all time, with four goals taking his career tally to 2176.
The Raiders centre had earlier played a role in the team’s first try, after he made the most of an Elliott Whitehead bust and put Jordan Rapana over with a nice backhand flick.
The Titans meanwhile were left to rue their chances.
Aside from Don’s missed opportunities, they coughed up the ball too often when on the attack and completed at just 67 per cent.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was their shining light, playing 73 minutes for his 195 metres and three offloads in his best game so far for the club.