Size doesn’t matter for Titans’ new-look middles: Moe
Joel Gould |
Gold Coast prop Moeaki Fotuaika has backed the smaller but mobile middle forward rotation to get the job done as he targets winning back his Queensland jersey.
The new-look Titans middles this year as a unit are lacking in size but they are mobile.
Former NSW prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard left the club at the end of last season to join the London Broncos.
Man-mountain front-rower Jaimin Jolliffe ruptured his ACL this month at training, which was a huge blow.
Versatile forwards Chris Randall and Klese Haas have both spoken this pre-season about how they are now middle forwards after previously playing on an edge, and in Randall’s case also at hooker.
Former Canterbury lock Kurtis Morrin, who stands at just 178cm, has also joined the club and will be part of that middle rotation.
The other is 19-year-old rising star Cooper Bai, who had an impressive debut against Wests Tigers in the final match of last season.
Bai, who is a specimen at 192cm and 93kg, is sitting out training for 10 days with concussion following a minor traffic accident, but will be back for the trials.
That quartet will join Titans captain and Test forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, a noted big body, and “ten-pin bowling ball” Fotuaika as the suite of “middles” likely to feature in the early rounds.
“It was obviously disappointing losing ‘Jimmy’, he’s one of our established front-rowers here at the Titans and he’s definitely a big part of the pack,” Fotuaika said.
“I still think we’ve got a lot of players to fill that space.
“We’re a bit down on size, but with the game now and how fast it is, I think the smaller players will really fit into that style of footy nowadays.
“Obviously we’ve got Kurtis Morrin, who has joined the squad. Cooper Bai had his first game last year, so he’s someone that I’m really excited to play alongside. There’s plenty of different options there.”
Other options include Brock Gray, who played six of the early rounds last year before an ACL tear.
Jett Liu, recruited from St George Illawarra, had a strong NSW Cup campaign last year and will also be knocking on the door.
Tongan international Fotuaika, who has played 11 matches for the Maroons, took ownership of why he lost his Origin jersey last year for the decider.
“I know I wasn’t at my best and I know what my best footy looks like,” he said.
“Last year wasn’t my best season, so I just want to get back to playing my standard of footy.
“It’s always going to be disappointing when you miss out on Origin selection, so that’s definitely a goal to get back there.
“But I don’t want to look too far ahead. I just want to get my body and my mind right. I know if I can get that right and play good footy here at the Titans, everything will take care of itself.”
AAP
