With the departure of Mat Rogers, a permanent and mainstay move to lock for Greg Bird, and the idea of Preston Campbell being used as a super-sub, or as fullback, Titans coach John Cartwright has said that the five-eighth for the Titans in 2011 will be picked based on their trial form.
The two leading candidates are believe to be former South utility Luke Capewell and Jordan Rankin who made his debut with the Titans in 2008 as a 16-year old.
The pair will both feature in the halves for the Titans first trial of the year against Brisbane on February 12.
Whilst both Greg Bird or Preston Campbell would be considered if Cartwright has to force his hand, he would much rather that the two veterans remain in their current positions of lock and fullback respectively.
“Jordan hasn’t experienced first grade since that first year (2008) and Luke played there (five-eighth) a little bit at the Bunnies last year,” he said.
“The five-eighth spot is far from cut and dried so that is really going to be dictated by trial form. If someone can really jump out of the box, they’ll get a gig.”
Whilst Capewell has struggled in the past to hold down a regular first-grade spot, his preferred position is that of five-eighth, and he will be hoping to excel in the trials in order to start in the position come Round 1.
Rankin on the other hand, was the third youngest player ever to debut in first-grade, given that there were huge wraps on him, as well as the potential that Cartwright sees in him.
Also set to make his first-grade debut for the Titans, is new recruit Joe Vickery, who will play on the wings in a youthful Titans side.
“It’s mostly some of the under-20s from last year, some of the newer guys at the club and some of the guys who got a taste of first grade last year so there’s a good blend there,” said Cartwright.
“We’ve got five players involved in the All Stars game and another five or six coming off major injuries, so pretty well the majority of those that are available are playing.
“For the guys that are playing there are some positions up for grabs, especially in the haves, the back row and the centres.”
Titans team: Shannon Walker, Dominique Peyroux, Esi Tonga, Joseph Tomane, Joe Vickery, Jordan Rankin, Luke Capewell, Brenton Lawrence, Matt Srama, Luke Pag, Sam Tagaetese, Ben Ridge, Luke O’Dwyer. Interchange: Will Matthews, Kayne Lawton, Tom Merritt, Jacob Ling