By Nick Wright
Reagan Campbell-Gillard has touched down on the Gold Coast, and the former Kangaroos enforcer could prove one of two missing pieces to finally ignite the Titans.
Since joining the NRL in 2007, the club have only had two successful campaigns – top four finishes in 2009 and 2010, before squeezing into eighth just twice in the 14 years since.
While the Glitter Strip is blessed with talent, courtesy of leading rugby league schools Keebra Park and Palm Beach Currumbin, the region is still without a premiership.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard has arrived at the Gold Coast Titans.
Enter Campbell-Gillard, who Titans’ skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui believed could inject the experience and ferocity needed to lift the squad from the doldrums.
“Reggie’s done a lot in the game, and we’ve lost a lot of experience with Erin [Clark] and Isaac Liu. To fill Reg in there is massive,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“I worked with him in the World Cup, and he’s such an animal – he’s a beast, he runs hard and tackles hard. We need that – someone who is willing to do that, and teach us boys how it is.”
The Titans began 2024 expected to feature one of the game’s more lethal packs, courtesy of Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita and Moeaki Fotuaika.
But that never eventuated. Fa’asuamaleaui suffered a ruptured ACL early, Fifita faded after his State of Origin snubbing, and Fotuaika drifted in and out of brief purple patches.
All three are aged just 24, with the prime of their careers ahead of them, and Campbell-Gillard intends to accelerate the trio’s development.
“I’ve come to take the pressure off Tino. Tino’s coming off injury, and a bad one, so myself and Moey and the other boys on the bench can take the pressure off Tino. He’s done a lot of work to get the team forward. I’m happy to fill that role,” Campbell-Gillard said.
“[With Fifita], we’ll get him firing and make sure he gets his Origin spot back. There’ll be a lot of boys in that side pushing for Origin. If they’re playing good football, they’ll get there themselves.”
Campbell-Gillard had a year remaining on his Parramatta Eels deal, before being informed by incoming coach Jason Ryles he would be surplus to requirements.
When asked if he was surprised by the decision, the 31-year-old offered a laugh and swift response.
“S--- happens. That’s rugby league and how the business works. They don’t want me and that’s all right, I’m fully OK with that, and I’ve landed up here at a great spot,” Campbell-Gillard said.
“I said to Ryles, ‘tell me how it is,’ and he felt like he wanted to go in a different direction. I understand it’s a business and everyone needs to understand that as well.”
Campbell-Gillard is joined by fellow recruit Carter Gordon – the Wallabies’ convert who will battle for a place in the halves.
The Titans have not had a long-term dominant halfback since Scott Prince, and have been guilty of fading late in a contest.
But Gordon’s long kicking game and experience orchestrating an attack with rugby union’s shorter defensive line could resolve that concern.
And he has leant heavily on dual-international Mat Rogers to help him attain those heights.
“Looking up to him as a union player growing up was massive, and then following in his footsteps to the Gold Coast has been big for me,” Gordon said.
“I’ve had chats with him, and he’s been really supportive; he’s a great bloke and a really great mentor for me.”