A SPOT IN THE TEAM IS JUST THE START
TITANS recruit Sam Lisone has set himself the simple goal of nailing down a regular NRL spot following an 85-game career with the Warriors plagued by inconsistency.
Signed by Gold Coast last weekend, hulking prop Lisone will don Titans colours for the first time tonight when they tackle the Broncos in their final preseason trial at Redcliffe.
With Shannon Boyd, Moeaki Fotuaika and Ryan James all unavailable, the 26year-old has been handed a golden opportunity to impress coach Justin
Holbrook ahead of Round 1 after being named to start in the 7pm encounter.
Lisone was an NRL regular for the Warriors from 2015-17 but played just 22 games in his final two seasons in New Zealand as his form dipped and injuries mounted.
However, the four-Test Samoan international is determined not to make the same mistakes at the Titans.
“Hopefully (I can) play some consistent first grade, nothing too out of my league just yet. I just want to come here open-minded, learn off Justin, hopefully get some good game time and learn off the boys,” the Auckland
product said. “It’s been pretty good (settling in), the boys are welcoming and I’m pretty happy to play this week. I can’t wait to rip in.
“I like to be aggressive. I just want to get the ball, run hard and do my bit.”
One of a several new faces brought to the club over the off-season, Lisone said he could already see his teammates’ determination to make amends for the disastrous 2019 campaign.
“I’m excited (to be here). There are some young boys coming through (here), a lot of young talent, so that’s exciting,” he said.
An understrength Titans fell 18-16 to Burleigh in last weekend’s Pizzey Park trial, with Holbrook’s men to kick off the season proper away to Canberra on March 13.