Titan’s Taylor task
TYRONE Roberts plans to help get the best out of Ash Taylor after the Gold Coast Titans halfback endured an underwhelming season.
Roberts and Taylor are known to be close mates and indeed kept in touch during the former’s one-year stint away from the club playing for Warrington in the English Super League.
Taylor is one of the game’s brightest talents and is on a rich deal through to the end of 2021 but battled for form this year.
He has, however, played his best footy alongside Roberts, with the pair steering the Titans to the playoffs in 2016.
“Our goal is to make the semis and grand final and that’s what we want to do,” said Roberts, who returned on a two-year contract.
“I have got to try to get the best out of Ash and get him where he needs to be.”
Roberts spent time at fullback, five-eighth and hooker under Neil Henry but is now eyeing a sustained crack at the No.6 jersey, for which Ryley Jacks is his main challenger.
“I have got a lot of competition so I can’t slip up … I have got to train hard and do everything that was asked of me and when it comes to trials and Round 1, I’m sure Garth (Brennan) will choose the strongest side,” he said.
The 27-year-old is spending the week working as a hotel concierge for QT Gold Coast.
“It’s been great. Something different I guess. I’m not usually behind a desk, I’m usually an outside person but it’s sort of an eye-opener,” he said.
Having been rehabilitating a toe injury sustained in the Wolves’ grand final loss to Wigan – one of two “heartbreaking” title defeats for the team during the year – Roberts is aiming to start running again at pre-season training next week.
I HAVE GOT TO TRY TO GET THE BEST OUT OF ASH AND GET HIM WHERE HE NEEDS TO BE TITANS UTILITY TYRONE ROBERTS