Buzz at club as ‘pest’ a starter
THE “pest” is back and could be the man to kickstart the Gold Coast Titans.
Hooker Nathan Peats will make his return from a shoulder reconstruction in the Titans’ trial against the Warriors on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Peats was at his vocal best during a wet training session on the Gold Coast yesterday, barking orders and showing why he is potentially co-captain material.
Titans coach Garth Brennan will retain Ryan James as a leader of the Gold Coast, but could also look to Peats or Kevin Proctor to join him in a co-captaincy model.
Peats, 27, had a breakout season in 2017, earning a NSW Origin debut and cementing himself as a senior player at the Titans.
The Titans need an injection of energy after last Saturday’s loss to the Broncos, and Peats could be the man to kick them into gear.
“He brings a lot of calmness and experience,” prop Leilani Latu said. “He has got a big engine. He leads from the front in attack and defence. He is our smallest player in the forward pack but generates a lot of line speed and confidence for us.
“On and off the field he is very vocal so he can be a bit of a pest. I like that he is a little bit chirpy around the field. It brings a lot of calmness to the team.”
Brennan has named close to his best team for the Warriors trial, with Roosters recruit Michael Gordon to make his club debut and Ash Taylor to start at halfback.
Centre Konrad Hurrell will have his first run of the season, while Panthers recruit Bryce Cartwright will again start at lock.
However it is the appearance of Peats that has the Titans excited.
“He can’t wait to get out there every single day and train,” winger Brendan Elliot said. “I knew he would be a big talker and leader. He is one of the most experienced boys in the squad. He definitely shows it out there and leads the boys around.”
Proctor will sit out the trial as he recovers from a throat injury, while prop Morgan Boyle (shoulder) is still unavailable.
Despite being hit hard by injuries in his front-row stocks, Brennan will persist with playing James on the left edge.
“He is a big body out on that edge,” Latu said of James.
“He is our skipper and is very vocal. He always leads by example with his actions rather than what he says.
“He looks really happy being back out on the edge.”