With seven new faces readying to pull on the Cyclones colours for the first time, a new era for Gold Coast rugby union is dawning.

And coach Kurtis Smith has revealed the secret to his selection process that thrust the rookies into the spotlight — adaptability.

The Cyclones will have two weeks to brace themselves for the forthcoming onslaught of the Darling Downs and Sunshine Coast outfits in the South Queensland Championships.

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While the torrential weather to hit the Glitter Strip in recent weeks deprived Smith of the extensive trial process he was hoping for, a contingent of rising stars impressed enough in the opening rounds of the local season to make the cut.

Smith has still called on plenty of experienced heads from past representative campaigns, however the likes of Zachary Mason-Gale, Ed Gomm, Liam Cordell, Matthew Worland (who has come from elite rugby in Brisbane) and Will Parker are all set to make their debuts.

Returning Knights flanker Harrison Cumming is also back in the fold after taking some time away from the game.

But it was two young men who were brought into the mix last year who Smith was perhaps most eager to see in action.

Bond Pirate Sam Heathwood and Gold Coast Eagle Caleb Saunders were introduced to the Cyclones set up in a development capacity last year, and Smith said it was there shared ability to cover a range of roles across the backline that had them primed to make an impact.

“They can play a multitude of positions, we’ve only got the two games but they’re eligible to cover positions gives us flexibility,” he said.

“With the nature of the games being back to back on Friday and Saturday we need that freedom for the guys to play across the park. We need to be able to cover those positions.

“I think the beauty of the group we’ve picked is any one of them can fill multiple positions, so the makeup of the final 15 we won’t know until the day of our game.

“With the rain and what have you and the field all being out … it sort of has been a difficult process (but) I think the squad itself is a good mix of experience and some new exciting young kids.”

To guide the young talent making their moves in the Cyclones squad, Smith has called on Griffith flanker Jaye Paton to captain the side once again.

Given the lack of opportunities to make a statement during the trials, with wet weather limiting the coach to one session, he said they needed those experienced heads to be the ones who set the standard.

As for how they would train should the conditions persist, the mentality was much the same as Smith’s selection process.

“It’s probably something that Covid taught us; to be flexible and unhindered I suppose. You have to change on the fly and if you don’t we’ll get left behind,’ Smith said.

“We’re looking at some indoor venue options, but we’ll only need three or four sessions together to get these guys. It’s more getting them to gel as a group, more so than game plans and structures.

“Our leaders within the group, some have played at that much higher level and will help.”

The South Queensland Championships will begin on the Sunshine Coast on June 10.

FULLBACKS/WINGERS — William Bird (Nerang), Connor Kennedy (Griffith), Damien Timms (Bond), Blake Griffin (Griffith)

Realistically any of his chosen outside men could take the number 15 jumper, and that is exactly what Smith wanted in his line up.

Bulls star William Bird and Knights ace Connor Kennedy have been the two who have regularly lined up at fullback, with Damien Timms previously taking the role prior to the likes of Lepau Feau and Ethan Lolesio joining the Pirates.

Griffith flyer Blake Griffin is perhaps the most accomplished full-time winger in the group, but Smith said he would not rule out playing all three fullbacks as well.

Ultimately it would come down to who impressed the most in the final training sessions, and what he expected their rivals to throw at them.

“The three of them (Timms, Bird, Kennedy) would make a really awesome back three, the all have really good aspects to their game as a fullback,” Smith said.

“I think the way that the fullback or the back three play today, if the opportunity arose to play the three of them in that area it wouldn’t be discounted.

“It will be dictated to a degree about what the Sunshine Coast and Darling Downs will present. Whilst we won’t look to counter what they’re doing, we’ll certainly be trying to nullify their strengths.

“Just off experience I look at Sunny Coast as being a little bit like us; they want to pay some open free flowing footy. And then the Darling Downs are like any good country team, they’ll be tough through the middle looking to take you on.”

HALVES/CENTRES — Josh Edmond (Nerang), Lepau Feau (Bond), Tyrell Forbes (Coomera), Caleb Saunders (Eagles), Sam Heathwood (Bond), Terence Delalande (Bond)

Smith’s mentality in choosing players who can play a number of positions could thrust up some unique centre pairings, with Coomera’s Tyrell Forbes the only out-and-out 12 or 13 in the mix.

Despite his club withdrawing from the first-grade competition, Forbes’ form in second-grade and calibre in past years impressed Smith enough at the selection table.

His two tries against the Eagles in Round 4 stands out as his season highlight, with Smith saying the proud Crusher’s love for the club factored into his decision to not move to a new outfit in search of top level chances.

Smith said Forbes was unlucky to miss out on a spot in last year’s Cyclones team, but would now have the chance to tussle with the chosen utility backs for a recall.

As for the side’s chief playmakers, Nerang’s Josh Edmond and Bond’s Lepau Feau appear destined to line up at halfback and fly-half respectively, with Smith revealing it was more than the latter’s instinctive attacking play that earnt him the nod.

“Leps has been playing really well at 10, so he gets his opportunity there. That (his ability to attack off the cuff) and he’s very solid in defence as well,” he said.

“We expect a lot of traffic to come his way so in the two games we’re playing to have a really good defender is crucial.”

FLANKERS/NUMBER EIGHTS — Harrison Cumming (Griffith), Jaye Paton (Griffith), Tom Coombs (Nerang)

Jaye Paton was called upon again to captain the Cyclones not just for his playing ability, but for the fact Smith identified him as a man who the rest of the group would “get behind” and want to compete for.

Harrison Cumming also returns to the Cyclones fold, having taken a step back from rugby before announcing his return this season with a try in the Knights one point Round 1 triumph over the Pirates.

Meanwhile Tom Coombs has been a consistent and strong figure in the Nerang Bulls outfit, and will be out to emulate those feats in the representative arena.

Smith said fitness played a major role in the selection process across the squad, and all three would epitomise that once proceedings got underway.

SECOND ROW — William Parker (Bond), Henry Morris (Griffith), Kerrod Martorella (Griffith), Mathew Worland (Bond)

The incoming Worland is firmly in the frame for a Cyclones debut, having moved to the region from the New South Wales north coast on the back of stints in Brisbane premier rugby.

Smith is hopeful that professionalism and knowledge he is able to impart will rub off on the younger members of the squad, much in the same way as the influence he has had with Bond.

It is the same caser for Griffith’s Kerrod Martorella, who Smith called on to lead the team even without the captaincy tag next to his name.

Smith said Parker would battle for a starting spot based on his ability to perform the core skills of the game exceptionally well, while also displaying the fortitude to cover plenty of ground across the field from the first minute to the 80th.

Henry Morris will then bring a winning mentality, having featured in Griffith’s championship winning teams and carrying that form into the 2022 season, which included a crucial try for the Knights in their last gasp victory over Surfers Paradise.

PROPS/HOOKERS — Liam Cordell (Nerang), Elliott Aisthorpe (Surfers Paradise), Zachary Mason-Gale (Bond), Ed Gomm (Bond), Lesi Tawake (Griffith), Lachie Currie (Surfers Paradise)

Three of Smith’s debutants in Cordell, Mason-Gale and Gomm will all get the chance to vie for selections, largely based on their versatility and fitness.

One place in the front row appears a likely lock in, with Griffith star and arguably the Gold Coast’s best forward Lesi Tawake — Smith’s “Fijian battering ram” — the favourite to take his spot at loosehead prop.

Surfers Paradise duo Lachie Currie and Elliott Aisthorpe have also been proven performers at this level.

Smith described Cordell as the “new age hooker”; where they may not rely on their size as much as players in the past they make up for with elite fitness much like an open side flanker. That ability was on show in Nerang’s 29-17 win over Bond earlier in the year, during which he scored a hat-trick.

Smith said Mason-Gale had earnt his spot through his uncompromising “in your face” nature, while Gomm had demonstrated that with each session he grew an extra leg.

“His (Gomm’s) ability to play across all three positions in the front row (was important). He can play all three positions and he’s probably not a stand out in one, but he’s very solid across all three,” Smith said.

“His work ethic stood out, he’s keen to learn and is a sponge for information with his eagerness to learn and try different things.”

nick.wright@news.com.au