Greg Bird may not be in the Blues line-up tonight but it's a bonus for the Titans heading into Friday's crucial clash with the Dragons.
He spoke philosophically yesterday about his omission from the NSW side but the fact he is rested and determined to make the most of the remainder of this season with the Titans, which will hopefully include the finals.
He knows too that it's a crunch game.
"It's coming to that part of the year where ... you don't call it desperation but we see ourselves as a top eight side and now we have an opportunity to prove it," Bird said.
"Every game is important from now on, especially against teams that are in a similar situation to us."
On being overlooked for the final Oritgin match, he said:
"It has definitely sunken in but it will be rehashed when the game is on and the hype of pre-game but the end of the day it's all done and dusted now.
"You have to go out and earn your position back, that's all there is to do ... if you're good enough, you're young enough so hopefully I can let me do the talking and fight my way back in."
Birdy's pain is Titans' gain - http://bit.ly/29Olbn8
