Brenko Lee happy to be deployed on the wing for Titans’ season opener against Canberra

A LEANER, meaner Brenko Lee is drawing on his Canberra experiences as he prepares to wing it in the Titans’ season opener on Sunday.

A LEANER, meaner Brenko Lee is drawing on his Canberra experiences as he prepares to wing it in the Titans’ season opener on Sunday.

Largely used in the centres throughout his 47-game NRL career, the 23-year-old Tongan international is likely to be deployed on the flank by coach Garth Brennan for the Raiders’ Round 1 visit to Robina.

Lee played in his preferred position in Gold Coast’s first trial against the Cowboys but was shifted one spot wider in the three-point loss to Brisbane a week later, impressing in both outings with his strong backline carries.

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Having dropped 7kg from his 106kg frame on Brennan’s advice, he is hopeful he has done enough to seal a Round 1 starting berth but concedes adapting to life on the wing is a work in progress.

Titans outside back Brenko Lee in action against the Broncos in their pre-season trial at Robina. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I think I’ve got to work on everything, to be honest – defensive reads, knowing when you drop back (for kicks) and obviously catching the high bombs,” said Lee, who spent three years with Canberra and one at the Bulldogs before joining the Titans last season.

“But I played a bit of wing my second year at the Raiders so I kind of got the hang of the bombs and knowing when to drop back. It’s just trying to refresh the memories and I’m glad I got the (second trial) to refresh my memory and old habits.

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“It’s a bit more pressure with those bombs and the carries coming out but it’s pressure I don’t mind. I’ll play anywhere.

“I’ve always loved to play in the centres but we have two quality centres there with Kel (Brian Kelly) and Peach (Tyrone Peachey) and Garth’s just tossing up on the winger’s spot.

“He just wanted us to carry strong (in the trials) … to help our middle thirds out and be defensively strong.

“He wasn’t too worried about the scores, he just wanted us to do what he asked for and I thought most of our boys did that.”

Lee has endured a rollercoaster NRL ride since making his debut for Canberra as an 18-year-old, but he believes his injury woes and inconsistent form are now a thing of the past.

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“I’m pretty confident in my own ability, as I am in general. It’s probably one of the things you need to be as a professional rugby player,” the Logan Brothers product said.

“I had a good chat to Garth (at the end of last season) and he believed I needed to be a bit lighter to be at my best and I was 100 per cent behind him. Some players are different but me personally I think being lighter helps me be at my best.”