Gold Coast Titans to use Chris McQueen in the backs to stop rampant Tigers

CHRIS McQueen could be thrust into a defensive mission at centre to stifle the flying Tigers but there may not be many in the crowd to see the Titans hit-man in action.

NRL - Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park , Chris McQueen gets tackled. 13th March 2016 Picture: Colleen Petch.

CHRIS McQueen could be thrust into a defensive mission at centre to stifle the flying Tigers but there may not be many in the crowd to see the Titans hit-man in action.

The Titans will host Wests at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday night with the game to kick off at a ridiculous 8.30pm timeslot.

The Titans trained under lights at their home ground during the week to prepare for the game and it will be even later for the Sydneysiders who are operating on daylight savings time.

Only 8313 turned up in the rain for the Gold Coast’s Round 1 win over Newcastle and they could struggle to break that figure with such a late start despite winning their past four home games.

With rookie Nathan Davis (shoulder) out, coach Neil Henry is warming towards shifting Rabbitohs recruit McQueen from the back-row to right centre to shore up leaky edge defence.

“It’s a matter of the combination we’ll go with on that right edge,” Henry said.

“Chris McQueen has played on that right edge.

“(John Olive) is included in the mix. He’s in the 18 (man squad), whether or not he’s in the 17 we’ll see.

“We’re pretty upbeat. We won our first game here and had a few wins at the back end of last year.

McQueen likely to be deployed in a defensive role against Storm. Picture: Colleen Petch.

“There’s a good feeling about playing at home.”

It would be a risk to blood teenage Olive at centre against a Wests Tigers side flying high on confidence following their unbeaten start to the year.

Fullback James Tedesco has been in sensational touch and is coming off a three-try haul against Manly.

The Gold Coast’s left-side defence was exposed by Melbourne last weekend and Henry said that had been a focus during the week.

“Our left side defence was under pressure last week and came up empty a few times,” he said.

“I’d expect their right side attack will be quite keen to test us out. It’ll be up to our left side to have an improved performance.

“You need to try to reduce (Tedesco’s) impact. He’s been very sharp out the back of their sweeping attacking plays.

McQueen can’t afford to slip up against the Tigers.

“He’s a very good player and in a confident frame of mind.

“His biggest threat’s been in attack.”

There were suggestions the Tigers could struggle with the late kick-off but Titans co-captain and former New Zealand Warrior Nathan Friend put that theory to rest.

“I’ve played in Perth and there was five hours’ time difference and it didn’t make too much of a difference,” he said.

“An hour is neither here nor there.

“Let’s hope it does but I don’t think it will.”