Injury blow, rookies to fight, recruit set to start: Battles to decide Titans fate as Burleigh and Tweed face off
A major injury blow as rocked the Burleigh Bears, as we analyse the key player battles set to shake up the Rivalry Round clash.
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Tyrone Roberts barely lasted 15 minutes into his comeback for Burleigh, with the former Titan ruled out of this weekend’s clash against Tweed after suffering a ruptured pec.
The 31-year-old, who was playing his first Queensland Cup match back from a knee injury, underwent surgery on Tuesday morning and Bears coach Luke Burt revealed his star five-eighth was expected to miss three months of football.
Burt’s first season as head coach of the maroon and white outfit has thus far gone undefeated; both victories coming without Roberts and against last year’s grand finalists Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins.
While the Burleigh mentor said the veteran of 191 first-grade appearances would still prove difficult to replace, he backed Northern Pride recruit Tom Steadman to take the reigns.
“He’s obviously disappointed and not happy that he got an injury 15 minutes into his first game, but after speaking to him he was positive and keen to help out where he can,” Burt said.
“I don’t think many teams replace a quality player like Tyrone, but Tommy has his own qualities. He’s a pretty steady, level-headed fellow you know will do his job.
“Tommy virtually had the team to himself in November, December, January as Hamo (Guy Hamilton) was down at the Roosters doing a pre-season and Tyrone was injured.
“He’s had a lot of time with the boys to get used to them and building combinations with the boys there.”
Burleigh will still be sweating on the availability of captain Sami Sauiluma, who is undergoing concussion protocols which were not deemed Category One under the NRL’s new guidelines.
However should the former Canberra Raiders centre been ruled out of the Seagulls contest, the loss could be offset by Ken Maumalo’s maiden appearance on the Glitter Strip.
The 135-game NRL flyer was signed by the Gold Cast last week from Wests Tigers, having previously gone on to be named the 2019 Dally M Winger of the Year.
Given the Titans have the bye this weekend, the Rivalry Round battle will present the chance for several players to put their hand up for NRL selection.
Injuries to veteran five-eighth Kieran Foran and fullback AJ Brimson have left a dearth of options in the club’s spine, and Tweed halves Tom Weaver and Toby Sexton could find themselves in a shootout for a spot.
Having been 18th man for the Gold Coast’s defeat to North Queensland on Saturday, edge forward Klese Haas could also be in line for a call up.
The 20-year-old has started impressively for the Seagulls in his two outings, averaging 118 running metres and 30 tackles a game from a pair of 80 minute performances.
Haas said Titans coach Justin Holbrook had stressed upon him to not look too far ahead for the chance to add to his two NRL caps, however he believed he was ready for a recall if needed.
“He just said not to worry about that stuff too much, just worry about playing good footy and the opportunities will come,” Haas said.
“I remember the first game against Cutters when I made my debut, I felt like I was smacked in the face with how rough it was and how fast it was. I wasn’t expecting it to be like that.
“I think it took me a few games to really get into it, but I feel like now having the pre-season I know what to expect and am better for it.
“It’s just another game, but I think it’s another game to try and push my agenda to be in that team.”
Burleigh and Tweed will kick off from 3.15pm at Piggabeen on Saturday.
KEY PLAYER BATTLES
Keano Kini vs Jaylan De Groot
Two of the most exciting youngsters coming through the Titans’ ranks will go head to head in a battle for the future.
Burleigh’s Keano Kini has set the rugby league world alight at just 18, taking to senior football like a duck to water despite his age.
Coming through the schoolboys system the enigmatic fullback was always touted for big things, having garnered Australian selection coming out of Palm Beach Currumbin State High School.
But the nature in which he has shone against men is still profound.
Kini came on for the Gold Coast in their opening trial against the Broncos and took the game by storm; finishing with 143m, three tackle busts and a linebreak as the Titans fought from a 24-6 halftime deficit to draw the contest.
He was called upon for a shorter stint in the second pre-season match against the Dolphins, running for 46m from four carries and two tackle busts in the 40-16 win.
And Kini’s form has only blossomed for the Bears; averaging 154m and three tackle busts a game.
However in the other corner comes the headgear-bearing talent who he ultimately replaced in the PBC Langer Trophy line up.
Jaylan De Groot has been training in the Titans system for the past three years now, and at last earned his QCup debut in Round One for Tweed.
His three appearances have yielded two tries, two linebreaks, seven tackle busts and 85m a game — the latter figure taking into account his injury-removable 58 minutes into the Seagulls win over Norths.
As Kini and De Groot go head to head, the future of Holbrook’s line up could be on show.
“As soon as he gets a few games back to back you’ll see him get a lot better quality ball,” Burt said of Kini.
“But he’s got no problem with this level of rugby league; he’s a brilliant young kid with a great attitude. It’s sensational for the Titans fans to see two young kids go at it.”
Toby Sexton/Tom Weaver vs Guy Hamilton
If Tweed halfback Toby Sexton and five-eighth Tom Weaver are to put himself in the selection frame to replace Foran, they will need to win the head-to-head battle with last year’s leading QCup number seven.
Foran is not yet a confirmed absentee for next week’s clash against St. George-Illawarra, however the injury-plagued champion may not be rushed back from his calf tear.
Sexton has previously lauded as the Gold Coast’s long term number seven, however a 10-game losing streak last year ended with the 22-year-old feeling the brunt of the selection axe.
However despite Tanah Boyd claiming the jersey, Sexton has declared he is in the best head space he has been in for some time and was ready to stake a claim for a comeback.
Since returning to the Seagulls he has been encouraged to bring out his running game more, averaging 84m a game to go with three try assists, two linebreak assists and a try from three outings.
Meanwhile, his partner Weaver has taken the number six jumper and shone; last week against the Devils finishing with four try assists and four linebreak assists.
This, however, could be the duo’s biggest test as they battle it out with Guy Hamilton.
The Burleigh maestro was so emphatic last season he was called up for a pre-season with the Sydney Roosters; on the back of 28 try assists, 23 linebreak assists and a league high 202 line engagements from 22 games.
Hamilton held the keys to the Bears’ win over the Dolphins on Sunday, finishing with three try assists in a commanding 36-10 win over last year’s runners up.
For the Seagulls youngsters to prove they are worthy of an NRL call up, they may well need to outgun the 115-game QCup veteran to make it happen.
Klese Haas vs Jacob Alick
Haas admits there have been times when he has been training with Jacob Alick that he has just had to laugh, knowing that come Saturday they will quickly become rivals.
However there will be no smiling when the whistle sounds, as the pair fight for their own NRL chances.
Haas may be the young buck coming through the ranks with plenty of potential, but Alick has proven anything is possible in a short space of the time.
The Papua New Guinea international was working in a move theatre until the end of 2021 when he received a call giving him a Titans chance.
He took it, and has since moved into the club’s top 30 and went on to feature for the Kumuls in last year’s World Cup.
A season ending ACL injury to Beau Fermor has left the Titans short on backrow stars, however like Haas, Alick has begun his campaign strong.
Averaging 109m and 20 tackles — with just one miss for the season — thus far he is seemingly ticking enough boxes to be a factor at the selection table.
Ken Maumalo vs Treymain Spry
The newest face of the Titans is already in line to take the field, and he could be faced with a resurgent Seagull eager to force his way back to the top.
Maumalo established himself as one of the NRL’s finest finishers in a 106-game career at the New Zealand Warriors, before scoring 19 tries from 29 appearances for the Tigers.
His move to the Gold Coast will no doubt put pressure on the outside backs to perform each week, particularly with young gun Jojo Fifita still sidelined through injury.
“If he’s fit and ready he’ll play on the weekend,” Burt said.
“He’s a quality player. He’s a really big body out of the back field; him and Tony Francis carrying from out of the back field will be sensational.
“He’s a high class finisher, as most wingers are these days, so he will definitely add to the quality of our backline.”
However with centre Treymain Spry hopeful of pushing his own case, the Bears backline will need to be on high alert.
Spry’s career was briefly in limbo last year when an ill-fated night out in Fortitude Valley ended with a coward punch that landed him in hospital.
He returned to the field in the latter stages of the 2022 QCup campaign, and has come out in 2023 with a point to prove.
The 23-year-old has already scored three tries in his two games this year to go along with four linebreaks.
“Treymain is a quality player, he’s dangerous one-on-one and he’s an athlete,” Tweed coach Dave Penna said.
“He’s fast and strong with great footwork. If you defend against him you’d be nervous, the more he gets involved the better.”
Teen Titan makes big debut statement, halves shootout looms (March 27)
He has come out of high school with plenty of fanfare and potential, with shades of a young Moeaki Fotuaika seeping out of him.
Now Titans rookie Josiah Pahulu has taken his grandest strides towards the NRL, having made his senior rugby league debut in Burleigh’s crushing 36-10 triumph over Redcliffe.
The 18-year-old prop came straight off a history making Langer Trophy campaign, during which he captained Ipswich State High School all the way to the national title, into the Gold Coast’s NRL squad on a deal through to the end of 2025.
Coming off the bench for the Bears in his Queensland Cup debut on Sunday, Pahulu showcased why he was so highly thought of at Parkwood in a strong 45 minute stint.
He finished with 152 running metres from 15 carries to go with 15 tackles for just one miss.
Fotuaika said there was a period during the Titans pre-season where Pahulu looked a little lost, having just returned from a slight injury concern.
However the Gold Coast prop said his rookie prodigy had proven himself to be a quick learner, and declared him ready for the rigours of elite level football.
“I think he’s ready for it; he trains really well, he’s a fit young forward. He’s obviously just gotten into the NRL system, but from what I’ve seen he’s been really good,” Fotuaika said.
“For someone of his size he’s so strong, from the times I’ve had to tackle him he’s pretty solid through the upper body and legs. He’s pretty hard to stop, so that’s probably what I’ve noticed, and just how hard he works.
“The boys keep telling me that kind of look alike. But I think just because he was injured for a bit during the pre-season and when he did come back he found it a little bit tough.
“I just gave him some tips on some little stuff in defence, but he’s a great player and he learns pretty quick. I’m sure he’ll progress pretty well.”
Meanwhile, a calf injury to Titans five-eighth Kieran Foran appears to have put Tweed halves duo Toby Sexton and Tom Weaver in a shootout for the Gold Coast’s number six jumper.
Sexton crossed in the Seagulls’ 32-26 win over the defending champions in Norths Devils, while Weaver finished with four try assists and four linebreak assists.
Rookie’s NRL push, Sexton’s evolution, axing inspires try queen (March 20)
Tweed coach Dave Penna has backed rising star Klese Haas for an NRL recall, declaring the rookie forward would be primed to make an impact once the opportunity presented itself.
The 21-year-old younger brother of Brisbane Broncos sensation Payne, Haas turned in another standout 80 minute effort for the Seagulls in their 26-22 triumph over the Clydesdales.
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Haas is yet to miss a second of the Queensland Cup campaign, and in Saturday’s win he showcased more than just the damaging ball running that has made his older sibling one of rugby league’s most fearsome forwards.
Running for 115m while making 30 tackles, the young Titan laid on the magic for his teammates with two linebreak assists and a try assist.
Within the Gold Coast ranks a host of forwards have fallen by the wayside, with Beau Fermor ruled out for the season with an ACL injury and Jaimin Jolliffe sidelined for three to four months with a torn pec.
Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also said on Saturday afternoon he believed he had suffered a broken nose, although the fearless leader still declared himself fit for this weekend’s clash with the Cowboys.
However should coach Justin Holbrook be in need of reinforcements, Penna believes Haas had proven he was ready to add to his two NRL caps from last year.
And given his youth, the Seagulls mentor believes his 104kg threat on the edge is poised to only get bigger and more damaging out wide.
“Klese was probably our best player on the field, he’s working really hard and doing a great job at the Titans,” Penna said.
“Hopefully they’re watching and he’ll get a crack in the NRL sooner rather than later. As long as he plays like he has been he gives himself every chance.
“They all keep getting bigger but I think so (he will get bigger), and again he’s only a young player learning how to play on the edge and I guess as the weeks go on and he starts to form more of a combination with Toby (Sexton) and Tom (Weaver) I think he’ll only get better.
“I knew he could play 80 minutes … Klese has always been a player that trains really hard and has always been fit, that doesn’t surprise me.
“It will be up to the Titans, but I think every time he puts his hand up and shows what he’s capable of he gets an opportunity to be picked.”
While Haas pushes his case for an NRL return at Piggabeen, Penna said Sexton had set about transforming his game in a bid to reclaim the Titans number seven jumper.
After being identified as the club’s first choice halfback last year, the 22-year-old has fallen behind Tanah Boyd in the pecking order following a challenging campaign.
However on Saturday Sexton set about showcasing his running game, in a move Penna said was designed to make him a player with more dimensions to his game.
He went on to finish with 135m to go with a linebreak assist and try assist.
“We’ve been working with Toby’s game; really it (running the ball) is one of his points and if he does that it helps with the other parts of his game,” Penna said.
“We’ve encouraged him to do more of that and mix it up a bit and not be one dimensional.”
THE AXING THAT INSPIRED A TRY-SCORING PHENOM
An axing two games into her Queensland Cup career has proven to be the catalyst of Felice Quinlan’s remarkable try-scoring streak, as the Burleigh centre hunts a maiden NRLW berth.
It took the Bears star just five minutes to cross the line in Saturday’s 16-0 triumph over the Central Coast Capras, taking her to nine tries in the past six matches while scoring in each.
While continuing delays in the announcement of an NRLW 2023 draw have made it challenging for players to cement their futures, Quinlan has begun to showcase a level of consistency born out of last year’s reality check that could thrust her into calculations.
Given the success the Bears have undergone since the QRLW launched in 2020 — winning a title and losing just four games — several emerging talents could be on the radar of national clubs as the NRLW expands to 10 teams this year.
Burleigh coach Scott Cooke said a draw needed to be locked in sooner rather than later so players could juggle their work and living situations depending on where they could end up.
As for Quinlan, he said a two game stint on the sidelines when she was dropped in her debut campaign was returned with a new-found mentality that inspired her accelerated development.
“I think we were just looking for a bit more effort off the footy and even with the footy when it was her turn to carry off the line,” Cooke said.
“There were some basic errors at that time, but when she got back she just lifted a little bit and that’s all that was needed.
“Maybe it was early nerves stepping up a level but then she just pulled her head in; (plus) the fact she runs really tough lines on that edge and is hard to tackle one and one.
“I think we’ve been fortunate to make sure she’s got a good strong work ethic coming off our own try line and our end zone.
“I don’t need to do too much more and change her; the more we get her involved the better.”
Despite the Round Two scoreline and his side’s 2-0 start to the season, Cooke warned the rest of the competition the Bears were far from their best.
Several ball handling errors in the sweltering conditions kept the maroon and white outfit on the back foot at times, and the coach said if they were to produce the same this week against the ladder-leading Mackay Cutters they would be in for a rude shock.
However he said the timely return of Titans ace Tazmin Gray had provided the injection of experience on the edge needed to help stem the flow of wasted possession.
“You can’t win games of footy like that. Yes we got away with it but we couldn’t do that next week,” Cooke said.
“I thought (Gray) was one of our better players. It’s her second week back after injury and a fairly serious ankle one and she played the whole game.”
Meanwhile the Tweed Seagulls got a taste of how strong the Cutters were going to be in 2023 during their 26-16 defeat.
Conceding in the first minute of play was always going to put the Piggabeen faithful on the defensive early, however hooker Gloria-Hannah Murray-Fiu was quick to respond four minutes later.
While Mackay were quick to take a strong lead, Nikiah Campbell and Zara Canfield were able to cross and give their side the lead early in the second term, only for the stacked Cutters to run away with it late in the contest.
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