Get to know Gold Coast Titans recruit Kallum Watkins ahead of debut against Brisbane Broncos

A lack of leadership has been considered part of Gold Coast’s problems this NRL season; well they have found a fix to that in the form of English recruit Kallum Watkins.

A LACK of leadership has been considered part of Gold Coast’s problems this NRL season; well they have found a fix to that in the form of English recruit Kallum Watkins.

The 28-year-old will become the 149th player to pull on a Titans jersey on Saturday when he debuts at right centre against the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium.

Having had to wait for his visa to be sorted, which finally was resolved on Tuesday morning, the path was cleared for Watkins’ long-held dream.

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The 25-time England international had the chance to head Down Under earlier in his career but opted to stick with Super League club Leeds at the time. This time he couldn’t let an NRL deal pass by.

“When I got the opportunity to come here, I thought this is my last chance, this is my only chance to take it,” he said.

Kallum Watkins at training. Picture: Gold Coast Titans

After a hectic couple of weeks, Watkins’ young family have settled in nicely and now it’s time to focus on helping the Titans turn things around.

He hasn’t held back, much to the respect of his new teammates.

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“Especially doing video work, he will add his two cents in which has been really valuable,” prop Jack Stockwell said.

“It’s good that he felt like he can come straight in and not be afraid to pipe up and say something when it’s needed, which is what we need instead of sitting back and just letting it pass by.”

The standards Watkins sets with his ultra-professionalism meanwhile stood out to Jai Whitbread.

Kallum Watkins. Picture: Gold Coast Titans

Watkins said the first thing he’d noticed was the team’s need for better handling and discipline. He’s not the type to blurt something out at every window of opportunity, though.

“I’m quite a laidback kind of character anyway so probably when I try to speak it’s with a purpose, it’s not any kind of small talk,” he said.

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“If I have an opinion that feels like it is beneficial to the team then I will say it, if not then I’ll keep to myself and I’ll work with the players that I am next to out on the field.”

Kallum Watkins tries to escape the clutches of Brenko Lee at training. Picture: AAP Image/Regi Varghese

SIX THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT KALLUM WATKINS:

■ Debuted for Leeds at age 17

■ Father of three (ages 6, 2 and 10 months)

■ His eldest son is keen on getting into surfing and Watkins intends to join him

■ Plays PlayStation with his son, typically FIFA or LEGO games

■ Wife Sophie has a blog Secret Life of a Rugby Wife and is publishing a book as soon as September … “She wanted to obviously spread the word of what her life goes through, being with a rugby league player and all of the sacrifices that I have to make and she has to make.”

■ Passionate about the mental health sphere … “It’s OK to be not OK. You’re not going to be all right all of the time. It’s about being able to deal with it and finding ways to handle it and gain help from it.”