'He was pretty keen': Fifita the driving force behind trial inclusion
Justin Holbrook has revealed it was David Fifita himself who encouraged the Titans coach to unleash the barnstorming back-rower against his former club.
On the eve of the club's first trial against the Broncos, the 22-year-old was a prominent voice among the predominately young Gold Coast squad at the captain's run held on Saturday, eager to help long-time teammate Tanah Boyd with leadership duties in the season opener of the NRL Pre-Season Challenge.
Holbrook was initially hesitant to play the talented edge forward in week one after returning from World Cup duties with Tonga, but the 84-game star's willingness and desire to get back to his best from the opening whistle helped sway the Titans mentor into naming him on this week's team sheet.
Match: Broncos v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Broncos
8th Position
away Team
Titans
9th Position
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
"I was sort of leaning more towards not playing him to be honest," he said.
"As the game got closer, he was pretty keen to have a hit out and we thought giving him the two pre-season games would be great for for his match fitness.
"That's the only reason we're going to play him, just to get out there and get used to the speed of the game."
Fifita is one of five players the Gold Coast will roll out with over 50 games of NRL experience in the minor trial against the M1 rivals, who also come into the clash with a strong line-up; including Kotoni Staggs, Herbie Farnworth, Payne Haas and Corey Jensen who all boast the same amount of experience.
"They're really strong. Obviously they've probably got five or six missing still, but they've got a strong lineup and they've always got quality depth up there as well," Holbrook said.
"We're expecting a really good opposition for us to test ourselves against tomorrow night. We're well aware of that and I think it's good to see where we're at."
'I just want the boys to play well': Holbrook
With Chris Randall ruled out of his first appearance in new colours earlier this week with a hamstring strain, Holbrook also confirmed Sam Verrills will remain on ice for another week, with another Sam to fill the dummy-half duties alongside exciting young train-and-trialist Vaka Sikahele.
"Sam McIntyre will slot in there... Harry Grant we call him, so Harry McIntyre will start at No. 9," he joked.
"It's not ideal. We obviously brought Chris in because we lacked genuine hookers last year. We've got two and neither are going to have a run tomorrow.
"We've got young Vaka there, which he's going to be a great player for us as well and he'll play some dummy-half for us too.
"Ideally, we would have loved to have had Chris, but he's just picked up a slight niggle that we don't want to risk with it just being a trial."
