The future has arrived early for the Gold Coast Titans, with coach Justin Holbrook again having to turn to the Club’s department of youth as his injury-hit squad prepares to take on the New Zealand Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium on Friday night at 6pm.
One week after the brilliant debut of backrower Beau Fermor in the loss to the Sharks, Holbrook will hand an NRL debut to exciting outside back Treymain Spry against the Warriors.
Spry has long been touted as a future NRL player, with the 20-year-old Ipswich product having represented Queensland at Under-18 and Under-20 level.
He earned his chance for an NRL call-up after impressing in both of the Titans’ “scrimmage” matches against the Broncos and Sharks, including an impressive two-try haul against the Sharks at Cbus Super Stadium.
Spry will come into the Titans’ starting team on the wing against the Warriors, becoming Titan #158, with game-breaker Corey Thompson moving back to fullback.
After impressing with his running game against the Sharks, Fermor has moved to centre, with utility Tyrone Peachey moving back to the bench top provide more flexibility.
Second-rower Sam Stone, another to impress with good form in the scrimmage matches, is the other big inclusion – named in the second-row for his first game of the season after playing eight NRL games for the Titans in 2019.
A knee injury to Mitch Rein has seen Erin Clark regain the No.9 jersey against his former club where he made his NRL debut in 2017.
Nathan Peats and Greg Leleisiuao are the new faces on an extended bench, with both impressing in the scrimmage match against the Sharks.
GOLD COAST TITANS VS NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
- FRIDAY, 10 JULY, 6PM
- CBUS SUPER STADIUM, ROBINA
1 | Corey Thompson |
2 | Anthony Don |
3 | Beau Fermor |
4 | Bryce Cartwright |
5 | Treymain Spry |
6 | Ashley Taylor |
7 | Jamal Fogarty |
8 | Moeaki Fotuaika |
9 | Erin Clark |
10 | Jaimin Jolliffe |
11 | Sam Stone |
12 | Keegan Hipgrave |
13 | Jai Arrow (c) |
INTERCHANGE | |
14 | Tanah Boyd |
15 | Sam Lisone |
16 | Tyrone Peachey |
17 | Jarrod Wallace |
18 | Jai Whitbread |
19 | Nathan Peats |
20 | Greg Lelisiuao |
21 | Tyrone Roberts |