Gold Coast Titans recruit Sam Lisone reveals one simple goal for 2020 NRL season
Titans recruit Sam Lisone has set himself one simple goal on the Gold Coast following an 85-game career with the Warriors plagued by inconsistency.
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TITANS recruit Sam Lisone has set himself the simple goal of nailing down a regular NRL spot following an 85-game career with the Warriors plagued by inconsistency.
Signed by Gold Coast last weekend, hulking prop Lisone will don Titans colours for the first time tonight when they tackle the Broncos in their final pre-season trial at Redcliffe.
With Shannon Boyd, Moeaki Fotuaika and Ryan James all unavailable, the 26-year-old has been handed a golden opportunity to impress coach Justin Holbrook ahead of Round 1 after being named to start in the 7pm encounter.
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Lisone was an NRL regular for the Warriors between 2015-17 but played just 22 games in his final two seasons in New Zealand as his form dipped and injuries mounted.
However, the four-Test Samoan international is determined not to make the same mistakes at the Titans.
“Hopefully (I can) play some consistent first grade, nothing too out of my league just yet. I just want to come here open-minded, learn off Justin, hopefully get some good game time and learn off the boys,” the Auckland product said.
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“It’s been pretty good (settling in), the boys are welcoming and I’m pretty happy to play this week. I can’t wait to rip in.
“I like to be aggressive. I just want to get the ball, run hard and do my bit for the team.”
One of a several new faces brought to the club over the off-season, Lisone said he could already see his teammates’ determination to make amends for the disastrous 2019 campaign.
“I’m excited (to be here). There are some young boys coming through (here), a lot of young talent, so that’s exciting,” he said.
“I’m pretty pumped. The boys back home were training pretty hard. Every pre-season is hard and everyone is ready to play so that’s the easy bit.
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“I haven’t had a game (in pre-season) and get to play against a quality side like the Broncos so I’m looking forward to learning off the boys and having a crack this weekend. I’ve just got to rip in.”
An understrength Titans fell 18-16 to Burleigh in last weekend’s trial at Pizzey Park, with Holbrook’s men to kick off the season proper away to Canberra on March 13.
TITANS TRIAL TEAM
1. Phil Sami
2. Anthony Don
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Brian Kelly
5. Jonus Pearson
6. Tyrone Roberts
7. Ash Taylor
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Mitch Rein
10. Sam Lisone
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Bryce Cartwright
13. Jai Arrow
Interchange
14. Jai Whitbread
15. Tyrone Peachey
16. Nathan Peats
17. Tanah Boyd
18. Dale Copley
19. Sam Stone
20. Jaimin Jolliffe
21. Erin Clark
22. Greg Leleisiuao
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