Titans coach Josh Hannay has made a bold shake-up of his line-up for their Round 10 challenge against the rising Roosters, turning to youth and fresh perspectives in a bid to shift his team’s fortunes.
As well as handing a starting halfback debut for 20-year-old Zane Harrison, uncapped Jensen Taumoepeau comes onto the wing for the injured Siale Faeamani, while Oliver Pascoe has been elevated to start at hooker, shifting Sam Verrils to the extended bench.
Whiz kid Cooper Bai has also been promoted to the starting side for the second time in his nine-game NRL career, moving to lock after impressing in his efforts to start the season.
With the Titans coming off a poor 24-12 loss at home against a depleted Raiders outfit last week where Hannay questioned their mindset going into the game, Bai said the team had to take their lessons to try and avoid a similar result.
“It wasn't the best performance by us as a team and we’ve really got a lot to learn from that performance that that we put out and to move forward ultimately now and I guess never produce something like that again this season,” Bai said.
“To keep learning and keep growing as a team and connect; that's really the biggest part for us.
“I felt like we were a bit disconnected that game and I guess getting back on track for our next game against the Roosters now and trying to get a win out of that.
“Whether it's the bye week – not making any excuses (for the last result) – but we just have to be better … whether that's off the field or and on the field as well, we just have to be better ultimately as a team.”
When outlining his considerations of bring Bai – who is still only 19 years old – into the starting line up, Hannay said it was important not to rush him so early in his career.
“I think you guys are all seeing what we're seeing, he's a special player,” Hannay said.
“He's a special person. Off the field, he's just a cracking young guy and the footy's just a representation of the quality of human he is to be really honest with you.
“He works hard at his craft, he cares a lot, he cares a lot about this club and he goes out and plays like it; I don't think he's put a foot wrong all year.
“We're looking after him, in terms of not overexposing him, but he's sort of making it harder and harder to not give him more and more opportunities …
“I think regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench, his minutes will be similar.
“I guess the thing about coming off the bench is generally the sting's gone out of the game and that's a big shift for a young middle forward is to actually deal with the heat of the start of the game, so when the time comes, we'll be sure that he's ready for that that.
“He started in New Zealand … in a hostile environment and didn't look out of place so we kind of know what that kid's about and we'll see what happens in the future.”
Despite this week’s match at Gosford set to be only his 10th in the top grade, having made his NRL debut in the last round of the season last year, already Bai is garnering Origin buzz.
No stranger to the representative arena, Bai played in the Queensland Under 19 State of Origin team last year, as well as representing Papua New Guinea in the Prime Minister's XIII and Pacific Championships tournament.
However, a senior Maroons call-up was also something the Gold Coast junior has dreamed about.
“That would honestly be a dream for me.
“As a kid growing up on the Gold Coast, or in Queensland, I think as any kid that plays rugby league, Origin is probably one of the pinnacles of rugby league in general.
“It would honestly be a dream come true.”
Match: Roosters v Titans
Round 10 -
home Team
Roosters
3rd Position
away Team
Titans
14th Position
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
