NRL 2020: The Titans young guns to keep an eye on at the Nines
The Titans are taking a more relaxed approach to the NRL Nines tournament this weekend but their squad boasts some very talented youngsters looking to impress.
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The NRL Nines squads are out and a number of big name stars are heading to Perth this weekend to battle it out for pre-season glory.
But, as exciting as the Cameron Munsters and the Shaun Johnsons of the NRL are, what is just as intriguing are the up-and-comers among the squads.
The NRL Nines will provide an insight into who could be pushing for a first grade berth in 2020 and the potential they have for your club in the future.
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We have crunched the numbers and analysed who are the players to watch from the three Queensland clubs, plus the Brisbane Broncos NRLW team.
Here’s who to keep an eye out for when the Titans run on to play:
JAIMIN JOLLIFFE
The 23-year-old has been plying his trade down in New South Wales with the Newtown Jets squad and was part of the miraculous 2019 NSW Cup grand final win. At 108kg and 187cm, the young prop has a serious motor to make him a tackle breaking machine, making 53 busts in 26 games last season. He was among the top NSW Cup players last year for most run metres, most post-contact metres and most tackles and is pushing for an NRL debut in the Titans forward pack this year.
GREG LELEISIUAO
It’s less of a welcoming and more of a homecoming for the 22-year-old Gold Coast junior who has spent the past three seasons in the Parramatta Eels system. Speaking of NSW Cup stats, Leleisiuao topped almost every attacking stat in 2019 – for most post-contact metres, most tackle breaks (196) and most run metres. The young winger has come back home to the Gold Coast, inking a two-year deal with the Titans in January and is a serious contender to make his NRL debut some stage this year.
TREYMAIN SPRY
The strong, yet speedy 20-year-old is on the cusp of making an NRL debut as he continues to make strides in the Titans system. The outside back was impressive for the Tweed Seagulls in the Intrust Super Cup last year and was a member of the Queensland Under-20s side last year. His running style has been likened to that of Greg Inglis, who Spry said he admired as a kid.
ERIN CLARK
The 22-year-old Kiwi adds some much-needed depth to the Titans spine and should injuries occur to any of the playmakers, could come straight in as a replacement. He has been toiling away in New Zealand and has just the one NRL game under his belt – when he made his debut in Round 4, 2017 for the Warriors against the Storm. The halfback/ hooker was snapped up by the Titans on a two-year deal in January.
DARIUS FARMER
The highly-rated 20-year-old batted testicular cancer midway through 2019 and lost a close mate, Zae Wallace, to the flu and despite the setbacks, is still gunning towards making his NRL debut this season. The young Kiwi second rower was the fourth-fastest player at the Titans at the back end of last year and has represented Queensland and New Zealand in the under-18s.