PRIDE OF ENGLAND
A BRUTAL initiation to life in the NRL has left Titan Kallum Watkins with a point to prove as he fights to become the latest Super League success story.
A late-season arrival from Leeds in 2019, the 28-year-old centre endured a baptism of fire in the NRL as his six appearances all ended in defeat, including a record 58-6 thrashing from the Sydney Roosters.
His battle to make a mark on the Gold Coast was not helped by a slower-than-expected recovery from a knee reconstruction in mid-2018, with the 25-Test Englishman conceding he may have rushed his return.
But having now hit full fitness and with impressive trial form under his belt, Watkins is determined to show Titans fans what he can do when they kick off the new season against the Raiders in Canberra on Friday night.
“The challenge is huge but it’s a challenge I believe I can do and achieve,” Watkins, a veteran of more than 250 games for Leeds, said.
“It’s been a long pre-season, which is good for me because I needed it. Pre-season has helped me massively to get in the best shape I can be.
“Last year was tough coming back from an injury. I probably came back too early and that affected my performances.
“It didn’t go too well throughout last year but that happens and it’s given me the challenge to work even harder. I’ve got a chance here (at the Titans) and in the NRL so that’s exciting. I want to get to the next level now.
“Now I know what the NRL is about and what’s required to get to that level. Them games (last year) probably helped me in terms of what’s expected.
“There’s no room for error here - that’s the big thing - and you want to push yourself to the best you can do. Getting the best players testing you week in, week out was something I needed. We’re prepared now, we’re ready.”
South Sydney’s Burgess brothers - Sam, Tom and George - have long flown the flag for Englishmen in the NRL, while Canberra’s UK contingent of Josh Hodgson, Elliot Whitehead, John Bateman and Ryan Sutton were instrumental in the Raiders’ run to last year’s grand final.
Watkins now hopes he can make a similar impact on the Glitter Strip.
“The guys that have come out here and been really successful, they’ve had doubts.
They’ve earned the right to be here, especially the Burgess boys, and then the Canberra boys that have come in as well,” he said.
“That’s given a lot of confidence to other players, including myself, to experience NRL and back yourself and that’s probably helped on the international stage for us as well.
“The plan’s always been to come here (to the NRL). I was at a club where it was going really well and I was happy at Leeds as well so that probably stalled it a little bit.
“I’ve had opportunities to
come here (previously) but not. I’ve taken it mid-season, which was a tough decision but I felt it was going to be a better decision for me as well.
“When I first came here I said I wanted that challenge to play against the best teams and the best players and being under certain pressures here. That’s the challenge I’ve always wanted.
“I’m at a time where really I should be in my prime and pre-season is done now so I just want to go and have a good season for this club and for myself and my family.”
While Watkins never got the chance to play under former Titans coach Garth Brennan before his sacking last year, he said new mentor Justin Holbrook had already shaped his game.
“I’m still learning as a player and trying to improve. Obviously
with the new coaching staff coming in with new ideas, they’ve kept it real simple, which has been really good,” he said.
“It’s been a really enjoyable pre-season, albeit very tough as well, so it’s going to be an exciting season for the club.”