Free to make it Rein

MITCH Rein says he has been given a licence to unleash the dynamic running game that had him on the cusp of a State of Origin jersey a few years back.

The hooker’s six-year, 132game career at St George Illawarra came to a sour end in 2016 as contract extension negotiations broke down, with Rein eventually switching to Penrith.

He wasted little time in firing a shot at the Dragons, claiming soon after that his former club’s restrictive playing style had hurt his development.

“I know what I’m capable of and playing (at the Dragons), with all the limitations of what you’re allowed to do and what you’re not, that’s one thing I’ve noticed coming here (Penrith) – it’s a lot more positive,” he said at the time.

Rein’s Panthers deal didn’t go to plan either. He spent the majority of 2017 in reserve grade before linking up with coach Garth Brennan at the Gold Coast for this season.

The 27-year-old has already impressed in his first two games in Titans colours and revealed Brennan had given him more freedom to showcase his running game. “Yeah, I guess so,” he said. “When I have been coming on, there has been a few more opportunities, a few tired guys, so I’m just playing what’s in front of me.”

Rein admits he still reflects on the end of his time at the Dragons but will get a chance to set the record straight tomorrow when he lines up against the Red V for the first time in his NRL career.

“I spent a fair bit of time down there but that was a few years ago now so it is going to be awesome to come up against a few old mates,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ryan James expects the return of Queensland Origin prop Jarrod Wallace will allow him to run amok on the edge against the Dragons.

The Gold Coast captain is happy to have Wallace back from a three-game suspension as the NRL side looks for ways to plug their own defence.

“I get to go back out on the edge and get to stay there now,” James said.

“I will find my way into the middle at some stage but that was always the plan.”