Heat watch on Titans
THE Titans may be playing the Parramatta Eels but extreme heat is likely to be their biggest rival in tonight’s NRL trial match in Alice Springs.
The Red Centre is expecting a top of 41C today in heatwave conditions affecting much of the country.
And while the Titans’ trial does not start until after 7.30pm, the temperature is not expected to have dipped much below 35C by kickoff.
The heat will not prevent the trial from going ahead though, with extra drinks breaks and a match played in 20-minute quarters, rather than 40-minute halves, the only respite. But with the Titans having sweated out their pre-season in sweltering conditions on the Coast, the players are prepared and coach Neil Henry said “common sense will prevail’’ in making allowances for the heat.
“It’s a trial, we’re already playing four 20-minute quarters so the boys will get a break and we’ve got nine interchange players and they’re unlimited as well,’’ he said.
“If some of the players are fatiguing we’ll certainly get them off.
“We’ve got air-conditioned change rooms, so I think we’ll cope with it.
“It’s a dry heat here too. It’s not as humid as it is on the Gold Coast or in North Queensland.
“I think the players will cope but it’s certainly going to be fairly oppressive conditions.’’
The NRL’s heat guidelines include more than just the temperature in considering whether a game should go ahead though, with the age and physical condition of athletes, the time a game is being played and duration the match all taken into account, ensuring tonight’s trial will proceed.
The match is a vital test for the club’s train-and-trial squad members given Henry will run close to a full-strength team in next week’s clash against the Warriors in the club’s final hitout ahead of Round 1.
Titans utility Karl Lawton, who will make his comeback from a horrific ankle injury in tonight’s match, said while conditions would be tough, the players were prepared after a gruelling pre-season.
“I don’t think anyone is ready for 35C but it should be sweet,’’ he said. “The trainers have done a pretty good job in keeping us in shape, so I’m sure that will pay off.’’
Elsewhere, extra drinks breaks will be taken in tonight’s Queensland Cup trial between coastal rivals Tweed and Burleigh at Mudgeeraba, and the under-18 Mal Meninga Cup clash has been reduced to four 15-minute quarters.
Queensland Cricket has approved two extra fielders for today’s clash between Gold Coast Dolphins women and Western Suburbs at Bill Pippen Oval.