Titans backrower David Fifita scores a hattrick as Knights suffer big loss on Gold Coast

The heavy 42-16 defeat, Newcastle's third consecutive loss, continued their poor record against the Titans north of the border. They have now lost their past six games on the Gold Coast and have conceded more than 30 points in all of them.

Defensively, the Knights were found badly wanting virtually from the kick-off with no sign of the character and resilience they have shown in that area over previous weeks.

Fullback Kalyn Ponga returned from off-season surgery after missing the opening month and tried to spark his side in the second half after they trailed 26-12 at halftime.

But they had no answer to the Titans attack with Fifita on the left edge almost unstoppable at times.

To make matters worse, they added to their injury toll with lock Chris Randall taken to hospital with a suspected broken left arm after coming off in the first half.

The Knights got off to the worst possible start with Ponga kicking out on the full from the kick off and the worrying defensive signs were evident from the first set.

Within the space of two minutes, Titans backrower Kevin Proctor strolled over after a Tyrone Pearcey off-load and it was 12-0 after eight minutes when centre Patrick Herbert crossed in the corner following some poor Hymel Hunt defence near his own line.

The Knights hit back with Randall scoring from close range after a short pass from dummy half by Jayden Brailey to narrow the gap to 12-6.

But from the moment Daniel Saifiti spilled the ball trying to play it too quick on the halfway line midway through the half, it was all the Titans.

Fifita scored his first try just two minutes later from a penalty restart through some embarrassing Knights defence before Corey Thompson and Fifita posted further tries to blow the scoreline out to 26-6.

Just before the halftime break, the Knights got one back, taking advantage of Herbert being sent to the sin bin for a professional foul with Starford To'a getting over in the corner. Ponga's sideline conversion made it 26-12 at the break.

The Knights were controversially denied a try to Enari Tuala by the video referee early in the second half after brilliant work from Ponga and it was a significant moment.

Instead of the margin being potentially cut to eight, the Knights found themselves 18 in arrears soon after when Fifita scored his third try for a 30-12 lead.

It was out to 36-12 when Thompson scored his second before the Titans were in again off the kick -off through some paper thin Knights defence.

Knights players all wore black arm bands following the death of the club's Harold Matthews Under 17's fullback Eli Faalua on Thursday night in a car accident.