Chris Randall knows Josh Hannay will have a healthy selection headache ahead of him for Round 1 with the ultimate team man vying for a starting spot in the season opener.
Possessing a unique skillset that allows the 30-year-old to capably fill any position from eight to 13 in the forward pack, the new Titans coach wants the 97-gamer to take on a new approach in 2026, shifting his focus to just the middle after playing a majority of last season in the back-row.
The switch also closes the door on returning to hooker, especially given the recruitment of Luke Sommerton and Oliver Pascoe in the off-season which adds more depth to the dummy-half ranks.
"When Josh came, he spoke to me about trying to lock down one position and giving me that chance to get the reps in that one role," Randall said.
"I’ve now been training in the middle and not getting moved around, which I haven't had that for a while these last couple of pre-seasons.
"I’m always to jump in and help out where I can to help the team, but it can be a bit of a blessing and a curse at the same time, because you miss the reps in the one position and feel like you can’t kick on and try and get better in the one spot because you keep changing.
"I’ve really been enjoying [the change]."
'Josh will have a few decisions to make': Randall
Earmarked by pundits as the starting lock with Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's potential to play at prop after previously being the custodian of the No. 13 jersey, Randall wants to let his training standards and footy in the upcoming trials do the talking to help with Hannay's looming decision.
"Everyone would love to be starting and we’re all competing for spots at the moment. I think nothing is ever set in stone and we have trials coming up," he said.
"Josh will have a few decisions to make… all I can do is keep training my best, put my best foot forward and hopefully I can get a starting spot, if not on the bench and be in the team."
Only three weeks remain before the side's first trial in Redcliffe, and whilst the upcoming centurion may be put on ice until the major hit-out against the Storm, he feels that battle against a hardened pack spearheaded by Origin enforcer Tom Gilbert will be a great challenge for the new-look Titans.
"Any NRL side is a perfect test for us because they’re all [quality]," Randall said.
"We’ve been working hard as a pack and have been changing a few little things and building some good combinations.
"Footy is just around the corner, so we're excited to see how we go as we put a few things into practice that we've been working hard at during training."
