Rookies set to shine as the Gold Coast Cylcones name a fresh squad
WITH seven new faces readying to pull on the Cyclones colours for the first time, a new era for Gold Coast rugby union is dawning.
And coach Kurtis Smith has revealed the secret to his selection process that thrust the rookies into the spotlight — adaptability.
The Cyclones will have two weeks to brace themselves for the forthcoming onslaught of the Darling Downs and Sunshine Coast outfits in the South Queensland Championships.
Smith has still called on plenty of experienced heads from past representative campaigns, however the likes of Zachary Mason-gale, Ed Gomm, Liam Cordell, Matthew Worland (who has come from elite rugby in Brisbane) and Will Parker are all set to make their debuts.
Returning Knights flanker Harrison Cumming is also back in the fold after taking some time away from the game.
But it was two young men who were brought into the mix last year who Smith was perhaps most eager to see in action.
Bond Pirate Sam Heathwood and Gold Coast Eagle Caleb Saunders were introduced to the Cyclones set up in a development capacity last year, and Smith said it was their shared ability to cover a range of roles across the backline that had them primed to make an impact.
“They can play a multitude of positions, we’ve only got the two games but they’re eligible to cover positions which gives us flexibility,” he said.
“With the nature of the games being back to back on Friday and Saturday we need that freedom for the guys to play across the park. We need to be able to cover those positions.
“I think the beauty of the group we’ve picked is any one of them can fill multiple positions, so the makeup of the final 15 we won’t know until the day of our game.”