LIVE: Fittler calls out Titans’ Fifita mistake

Good afternoon and welcome to Wide World of Sports’ coverage of round eight action. We’ve got two matches tonight, with Souths to face Manly live and free on Nine from 7:30pm (AEST).

First up it’s defending premiers Penrith travelling north to face Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium, as the Panthers look to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

History favours the visitors, who have won seven of their last eight matches against the Titans.

Many eyes will be on Gold Coast’s David Fifita, who has been named in the back-row for tonight’s match. He was switched to centre for last week’s clash with North Queensland, turning in a performance that would charitably be described as poor, especially in defence, as the Cowboys thrashed the Titans.

Speaking on the Wide World of Sports show Freddy and the Eighth, Brad Fittler said playing the 22-year-old out wide wasn’t the answer.

“I’d be more inclined to do what the Cowboys did with Jason Taumalolo, I’d move him closer,” Fittler said.

“What he can do is adapt. Jason Taumalolo never used to last 80 minutes, but he learned to end up playing 60 and adapt to the middle.

“I just feel David is coming up with one great try every 1-2 weeks. Amazing. Some of the things he can do, no-one else can do.

“But it’s all that stuff in between those great tries. You could have a game plan around the back of his runs.

“He’s still going to cause carnage. I’d move him in, not out.”