Injuries are no excuse
GOLD Coast Titans hooker Mitch Rein says key injuries and a punishing travel schedule are “no excuse” for their poor start to 2019.
The burly rake has been solid since stepping up to fill Nathan Peats’ shoes after his pectoral injury but wants to see the side execute on Friday night against his former club Penrith.
“It’s frustrating that’s for sure,” Rein said of their Round 4 loss to the Warriors.
“No one wants to be in this point in the season and not have a win yet.
“It was a big week going straight from Sydney to New Zealand, just kind of gets you out of routine but we’re all back here now so there’s no excuses for Friday.”
Rein, 28, backed halves pairing Ash Taylor and Tyrone Roberts to bounce back from their comeback game in Auckland and urged the entire team to take responsibility.
“There was more talk with Ash and T out there but they still haven’t played much footy the last two weeks so they’re a bit rusty and they’ll be better next week.
“We’re pretty close (to a win), we’ve just got to execute a bit better.”
The Panthers clash shapes as one with extra feeling for Tyrone Peachey, who will face his former club for the first time.
“I know a few of the other guys are itching to get out there, Peach (Tyrone Peachey) and Carty (Bryce Cartwright) they’ll be looking forwards to it,” Rein said.
The Titans yesterday picked Max King on the bench in place of Moeaki Fotuaika.