GIDEON TO LIGHT UP GLITTER STRIP
IT would surprise no one who has seen his breakneck speed that Gideon Gela- Mosby reckons he’d be a cheetah if he was an animal.
Likewise that his hidden talent is dancing, not so shocking given his fancy footwork has made many under- 20s defences look foolish.
But ahead of his NRL debut against Gold Coast tonight, his Cowboys teammates are adamant there’s more to the quiet 20- year- old from Darnley Island than blinding pace.
He scored a record 39 tries in the under- 20s in 2015, and achieved his childhood dream of playing alongside Johnathan Thurston when he starred in this year’s Auckland Nines.
Holding your own in the big time, particularly defensively, in a depleted Cowboys backline is a different kettle of fish, but back rower Gavin Cooper is confident.
Asked how he thinks he’ll fare on his debut Cooper grinned: “I think he’ll run fast.
“Gids has been in our system for a while and knows how we play. We’re not going to expect him to score four tries or do anything miraculous, although he can do that.
“He’s in there to do a job and I think he’ll do it.
“Not too much fazes ‘ Gids’ if you ever get a chance to chat to him. ( But) he’s got the Cowboys jersey on now, not the under- 20s jersey and it’s a whole different story.
“He’s very proud of where he came from and his family, it’ll be a big night for him.”
Gela- Mosby is just 180cm and is likely to be tested under the high ball by the Titans, a tactic the Roosters used successfully against him in this year’s trial in Mackay.
Centre Kane Linnett is confident he can handle the blowtorch.
“He’ll be targeted but we’ve all seen what he can do at the Nines at the start of the year and it’s a great opportunity for him. I’m sure he’ll take it with both hands.”
Despite his diminutive Gela- Mosby’s tough runs frame, out of danger is an underrated aspect of his game, and it will be crucial given the absence of Antonio Winterstein with a broken arm.
“We’ve seen that in the trials and that’s what we need with Tones out and Thumper ( Matt Scott) not there up front.
“Gids brings that as well which is really good for the team.”
The Cowboys will field one of the least experienced back fives in club history with Javid Bowen to assume O’Neill’s centre role, while Kalyn Ponga will play his second NRL game at fullback in place of Lachlan Coote ( calf).
“Those boys have been training with us for quite a while now. It’s up to us experienced boys to show us the way.”