'They're very keen': Holbrook makes call on Origin duo
Justin Holbrook has confirmed Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita will back-up from their Origin heroics on Wednesday night, as the Titans prepare to return home to Cbus Super Stadium to face the Rabbitohs.
With the pair playing big roles and valuable minutes in Queensland's eight-point victory over the Blues in Adelaide, both Maroons re-joined their Titans teammates at Friday's captain's run in good spirits and eager to pull on their club colours this Saturday, with the Gold Coast coach a very happy man to have both his powerhouse forwards ready to go.
"I've spoken with both of them and they are keen to back-up which is terrific," Holbrook said.
"It's great news for us... obviously as we all know, they had a great win the other night, which I'm happy with and they'll be right to back-up for us tomorrow.
Match: Titans v Rabbitohs
Round 14 -
home Team
Titans
13th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
3rd Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
With Fifita playing 71 minutes of the contest and cleared of any concerns after being sent for a head-injury assessment in Wednesday night's series opener, alongside the skipper's incredible contribution of 117 running metres and 25 tackles in his 41 minutes, the Titans mentor will leave the final decision of whether the pair will start of come off the bench till game day.
But the one thing Holbrook can be certain of is the way both represented their club whilst in action for the Maroons, hoping that success will carry over to Saturday.
"I was really proud and happy for them both," he said.
"We all know Tino has done it for a few years now but to have Dave fight back and get his jersey and how hard he's worked for us this year.
"It was great to see him continue that for Queensland and I'm really proud of how they both represented our club."
Expecting no changes to the 17 for the first game back at Cbus Super Stadium since Round 7, the clash will see a spine shakeup due to the injury to Kieran Foran, with Keano Kini to get his first opportunity in the No. 1 jersey after fighting his way into the starting side.
After a strong debut coming off the bench for the final 13 minutes at Magic Round and continuously dominating in the Hostplus Cup, his inclusion has been an exciting decision to make for the Titans coach, especially with electrifying dynamo Jayden Campbell moving to the halves.
"I think it's great for for [Keano] personally to know that he's playing fullback and he's there for 80 minutes, which is great because that debut game was so hard for him sitting there and not sure when he was going to get on," Holbrook said.
"I'm just thrilled that he's playing for us because he's a great young player and a great young person and to get his opportunity in his preferred position is great for us.
"He's been in and out in our side all pre-season and had plenty of time to train because we haven't had Kieran training for the last six weeks with us, so he knows exactly what he's going to do and he'll be fine.
"I'm equally excited to have JC at six and I think he'll be terrific, so I think they are some really good positional changes for us going into this game."
