Speed machine recalled

Titans pick Khan-Pereira

Rookie Titans flyer Alofiana Khan-Pereira has earned a recall to the Gold Coast flank just as the team’s star five-eighth, Kieran Foran, has been ruled out for at least the next two weeks.

Khan-Pereira was quick to establish himself as a try scoring force in the NRL after he crossed 12 times in 10 appearances before his concerning error rate led to his axing.

The Burleigh Bears product paid the price for his 21 mistakes across the campaign – second most in the competition – ahead of the defeat by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

But Titans coach Justin Holbrook appears set to inject Khan-Pereira’s pace into a backline that struggled for cohesion prior to last week’s bye.

Centre Brian Kelly, who is off contract after this season, is the man to make way.

The club’s three tries at Belmore were orchestrated by State of Origin forwards David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, and an extra weapon in the attacking arsenal could prove crucial in Saturday night’s South Sydney clash.

Fellow Gold Coast winger Jojo Fifita has retained his place on the right sideline and the 20-year-old declared that he had witnessed an immediate change in Khan-Pereira’s mentality since his shock axing a fortnight ago.

While Khan-Pereira has not had the chance to take the field, having travelled with the squad to Sydney before being rested for Burleigh’s Queensland Cup clash against Ipswich, Fifita was adamant his teammate had put in the work to garner a call up.

“He’s definitely earned his spot; during the week when he wasn’t playing he definitely helped the team a lot to prepare for the game,” Fifita said.

“He knew he wasn’t going to be playing, but he was definitely trying to push the boys to become better so it’s a good thing that he’s back.

“Everyone’s trying to fight for spots, and at this club we have a couple of centres and wingers so every game we’ve got to fight to play the best we can to play again next week.

“I see him up top with the coaches doing video more and more; he’s definitely trying to learn off all the mistakes that he made in the past.

“He’s hungry for the spot, so if he just keeps going the way he can he can keep it.”

Holbrook has named Queensland stars Fifita and Fa’asuamaleaui to start against the Rabbitohs, with Klese Haas and the returning Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui the likely duo to take on greater roles should the star pairing play fewer minutes.

But they will need to perform without key man Foran, after the veteran finally succumbed to a host of injury concerns, which have plagued his 2023 campaign.

A ruptured ligament in his foot, as well as knee and calf concerns, have taken a toll on the 32-year-old, and the Kiwi will miss both the Rabbitohs match and the following Wests Tigers contest in a bid to be fit and firing for the back end of the season.

Jayden Campbell is expected to shift from fullback to the No.6 jumper as AJ Brimson continues to recover from a hamstring tear, with Toby Sexton overlooked despite his heroic efforts in his last outing against the Dragons prior to injuring his wrist.

It has opened the door for teenage wunderkind Keano Kini to make his starting debut at the back, having made his maiden appearance off the bench in Magic Round against the Eels.