Former Eels flyer Nathan Davis set to make NRL debut for Titans

EX-Parramatta flyer Nathan Davis is in the box seat to make his NRL debut in the Gold Coast’s Round 1 clash with Newcastle.

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A CENTRE curse has opened the door for the Titans to blood a Greg Inglis clone in the NRL.

Ex-Parramatta flyer Nathan Davis is in the box seat to make his NRL debut in the Gold Coast’s Round 1 clash with Newcastle.

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Nene Macdonald was to replace Broncos recruit James Roberts at right centre but he suffered a knee injury in the All Stars which could rule him out of the Cbus Super Stadium showdown against the Knights on Sunday week.

Davis and teenager Brian Kelly have been duelling for the position but Kelly left training with a knee injury on Tuesday, pushing Davis ahead in the queue.

Davis scored 24 tries in 40 National Youth Competition appearances for Parramatta and was in the 2013 Australian Schoolboys side with Roosters dynamos Jackson Hastings and Jayden Nikorima.

At 195cm and 108kg, the 20-year-old is built in the same mould as Maroons weapon Inglis (195cm, 105kg) and has spent his junior career at fullback and centre.

Davis was solid at right centre against South Sydney at the weekend and coach Neil Henry said he had come a long way in the pre-season.

“Nathan was slow to respond early to because he had to come to terms with the full-time training and how hard they were working,” Henry said.

“He had to shed a few kilos and to his credit he’s done that. He’s modified his diet and he really has stepped up.

Nathan Davis during a Titans training session. Picture by Scott Fletcher

“He’s big, mobile and quite strong and powerful carrying the ball. Given Nene is out he’s got an opportunity to play right centre.’’

Davis is athletically gifted but he has battled the keep up with the leaders during fitness testing.

He cuts an imposing figure on the edge but Henry said the NRL was a different task to the youth competitions he had excelled in.

“His test will come on the speed of the play, repeat efforts and staying in the game,” he said.

“That’s the mental and physical challenge he’s got.

“We can’t expect too much of him. He’s played some NSW Cup and was outstanding as an Australian Schoolboy and junior player.

“It’s a big step up to the big boys in the NRL.’’

Initial tests suggested Kelly’s injury was not serious but he could miss some training time only days out from the season-opener.