KONTINGENCY PLAN
Hurrell back at Titans as Brennan covers for Origin stars
GOLD Coast Titans fan favourite Konrad Hurrell is in line for his first taste of NRL action in six weeks after coach Garth Brennan opted for a shock selection move.
Hurrell, who Brennan described as his favourite player earlier in the season, has spent recent rounds playing for Tweed Heads in the Intrust Super Cup as he searches to rediscover top form.
With forwards Jai Arrow and Jarrod Wallace in Maroons Origin camp ahead Game Three, the door has opened for Hurrell (pictured) to return on the bench for his club’s Round 17 derby blockbuster against the Broncos.
Surprisingly, Brennan is lukewarm on the idea of unleashing the 26-yearold in an impact forward role.
TITANS coach Garth Brennan has taken a leaf out of his opposite number’s book for Gold Coast’s Round 17 blockbuster against the Broncos.
Veteran Brisbane mentor Wayne Bennett has deployed the unusual strategy of playing an outside back such as Tom Opacic or Kotoni Staggs on the bench for most of his side’s matches this year.
Now, in the absence of Maroons forwards Jai Arrow and Jarrod Wallace, Brennan has called out-of-favour centre Konrad Hurrell on to his bench for the home derby at Robina on Sunday.
Brennan admitted Hurrell could potentially play a role in the forwards as a “big body” but is far more likely to either fill in out wide or sit the 80 minutes on the bench.
Joining Hurrell on the bench are hooker Mitch Rein and props Morgan Boyle and Moeaki Fotuaika, with starting No.9 Nathan Peats also an option to spend some time in the forward pack.
“There would have to be some major things go wrong to move him (Hurrell) into the forwards,” Brennan said.
“He’s there to cover any sort of thing that might go wrong out wide.
“Against the Bulldogs we only used 16 men so it doesn’t necessarily mean that 17th player will get any game time at all if all pans out well and everyone stays healthy.
“But it is important that we have someone that can cover the outside backs there anyway just in case.”
Hurrell has not played NRL since May after being dropped to the Intrust Super Cup.
Gold Coast are sweating on the fitness of forwards Jack Stockwell and Will Matthews, who are both battling shoulder niggles.
Having won their past two games, the Titans will now look to erase memories of their horror 54-0 defeat the last time the Broncos visited Robina 11 months ago.
A number of former stars will be in action before the Round 17 match as part of the Deadly Choices All-Star Invitational curtain-raiser.
Titans players took part in a school holiday junior coaching clinic yesterday at Pizzey Park.