The Aquis Gold Coast Titans will have seven players making their club debuts in a new-look team that will open the Telstra Premiership season against Newcastle Knights at Cbus Super Stadium (5.30pm) on Sunday.
They are centre Nathan Davis, halves Tyrone Roberts and Ashley Taylor, prop David Shillington, second-rowers Zeb Taia and Chris McQueen and interchange forward Leivaha Pulu. Davis and Pulu are making their NRL debuts.
That provides the Titans with 20 club newcomers since the start of the 2015 season which emphasises the change in playing roster and the new era on the Gold Coast.
“We’ve recruited 15 players this season and we are conscious of creating a balance of NRL experience and a development of youth and this first team represents this,” Henry said.
“With Nene Macdonald injured, Nathan Davis, who we signed from Parramatta, gets his chance after solid pre-season form and ‘Vaha’ deserves his chance after some strong performances. He’s a late bloomer after playing for Wyong Kangaroos in NSW Cup last season but he’s versatile, covering the middle or an edge, and also deserves his chance.”
Hoffman was rested from the pre-season trials because of a knee injury but Henry is confident he is ready to confront the season without match fitness.
Macdonald has a knee injury and will hope to return within the next fortnight while Luke Douglas misses the clash because of suspension. Kane Elgey (knee) and last year’s NYC players Oshae Tuiasau (knee) and Karl Lawton (groin) are unavailable through injury while Kierran Moseley (ankle) and Ryan Simpkins (knee) will return after missing pre-season matches.
Cameron Cullen has agreed to a one-year deal with the club after successfully trialling for a position in January-February and will play for Burleigh Bears alongside Matt Robinson, David Hala, Matt Srama and Jeff Lynch.
The Aquis Titans team is:
1 – William Zillman (captain)
2 – David Mead
3 – Josh Hoffman
4 – Nathan Davis
5 – Anthony Don
6 – Tyrone Roberts
7 – Ashley Taylor
8 – David Shillington
9 – Nathan Friend (captain)
10 – Agnatius Paasi
11 – Zeb Taia
12 – Chris McQueen
13 – Greg Bird
INTERCHANGE
14 – Eddy Pettybourne
15 – Ryan James
16 – Leivaha Pulu
17 – Daniel Mortimer
18 – Lachlan Burr
19 – Leva Li
