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TITANS FORCED TO FIND NEW BLOOD
JOE Greenwood is hoping a strong back end to the season can help him win a World Cup berth for England after a concussion earlier this year robbed him of a Test debut.
Greenwood missed two games for the Titans after suffering a string of head knocks in the opening five rounds of the season.
It’s something that led to him not being considered for England’s Test against Samoa in May, a situation he wants to make up for by winning a spot in Wayne Bennett’s England side for the year-ending World Cup.
Bennett confirmed Greenwood’s early-season concussion had led to him being ruled out of the midseason Test.
“It had more to do with his head knock,” he said.
“(I) did not think he should play in this one game (and) thought it was more important for him to recover.”
Greenwood suffered another minor concussion a fortnight ago in the Titans’ loss to South Sydney after a head clash with teammate Ryan James.
He recovered well enough to line up last Friday against the Tigers though and said while he was now more aware of the risks associated with concussion, he had no concerns about his health.
“There is that (temptation to push on regardless of whether you’re really OK) because you want to impress all the time and you want to keep playing because that’s what I love doing,” he said.
“But you know yourself, and the physios and doctors and all know (whether things are OK by) the way you’re acting on the field and training.
“And if you don’t feel right, health is more important, so you just don’t want to push it.”
Greenwood’s main goal now is to find consistent good form for the Titans as they attempt to push back into the top eight, something he hopes will help him win a World Cup berth and that Test debut.
“I’m raring to go for the World Cup and hopefully I get a shout in for that,” the 24-year-old forward said.