NSW under-20s Origin winger Brian Kelly has been cleared to play for the Gold Training Titans against Brisbane Broncos tonight night at Suncorp Stadium (5.20pm kick-off) after recovering from a minor knee ailment.
However there will be one change on the bench with Anthony Colman, one of the team’s best and most consistent forwards last season, coming onto the bench for Rhys Duke.
Back-rower Colman has played only seven of the team’s 17 games this season because of injury. He has now had two games back in the Colts competition and will take his place on the bench, following another of last year’s best players who returned last weekend, Zac Spring.
“Hopefully Anthony can bring some energy off the bench and put a few games together,” said coach Ben Woolf.
“He was one of our most consistent players last year and was rewarded with a call up to be 18th man in the NRL squad at the end of the season but he really hasn’t had much luck this year.”
The Broncos have lost only three games this season and are one competition point behind Penrith, and equal with North Queensland, on the ladder.
However the Titans, although second last, know they can compete with any side which is evidenced by their 36-22 win against the Panthers in round two and 34-24 loss in round seven, and wins against Manly, Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers who are all in the top eight.
They were beaten 44-18 by the Broncos in round six but only after Brisbane piled on three tries in the last few minutes.
The Broncos will field a large pack but the deficiency in size hasn’t worried the Titans pack too often this season. Brisbane’s danger man will be halfback Ashley Taylor who could become a Titan next season, with the club keen to sign him.
The Gold Training NYC team is:
1 - Shaun Hudson (capt)
2 – Brian Kelly
3 – Rory Humphreys
4 - Josh Berkers
5 – Zac Spring
6 – Daniel Schwass
7 - Brayden Torpy
8 – Oshae Tuiasua
9 – Karl Lawton
10 - Max Elliott
11 - Shane Wright
12 - Hayden Schwass
13 - Parahi Wilson (capt)
Interchange:
14 – Shane Gillham
15 - Chris Law
17 – Harrison Hughes
18 – Anthony Colman
