Former Wallabies star Carter Gordon’s chances of making a successful NRL switch have suffered a setback with a back injury which will sideline him for the trials and the start of the season.
“He will miss the trials and might miss a couple of early rounds, but he will be back,” Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said.
“We have just got to keep an eye on him. We don’t play until round two, so there is time.”
After finishing the season in the Queensland Cup after his mid-year switch from the Wallabies, the talented playmaker had been hoping to force his way into the halves at the Gold Coast.
But Mitchell has revealed that Jayden Campbell and AJ Brimson will get the nod for their season opener with veteran playmaker Kieran Foran, who had off-season ankle surgery, will make a surprise switch to a bench utility role.
“Kieran is such a competitor and will make everything he does work,” Mitchell said.
Titans coach Des Hasler is confident Campbell and Brimson can fire as the main on-field generals for the round-two clash with Canterbury after the Titans have a bye.
Foran old played the No.14 role for New Zealand at the last World Cup, and was a shining light at hooker in the Kiwis’ Pacific Championships final thrashing of Australia in 2023.
“It’s a decision for Des, but I think Kieran offers so much across so many parts of our game,” Mitchell said of the switch.
“We are blessed to have that kind of depth. I am looking forward to watching it unfold.
Carter Gordon. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“The extraordinary part about Kieran Foran is where he is at with his game, his game management and what he offers on the field as a leader and with his chat with referees.”
Campbell and Brimson have both shone as fullbacks, but that spot is locked down by New Zealand international Keano Kini.
“The footy he played at No.6 at the start of last season was some of the best we have seen AJ play. I know he is excited to be playing there and he is so dynamic,” Mitchell said.
Campbell has worked on his kicking game, and while an off-the-cuff player Mitchell said he would adapt to a halfback role if given the chance.
“I think he is physically in the best condition he has ever been. That in turn is leading into his confidence, where he is really starting to find his strides as a senior player,” Mitchell said.
“The instinctive way he plays is something to watch, and I think he can manage the game. His kicking game will play a role in that as well.”
Playing off the back of an elite forward pack, Mitchell said Campbell could “float around” and link with Kini.
Campbell will play for the Indigenous All Stars on Saturday night, so the Titans’ new halves combination won’t be on show in the trial with Brisbane in Toowoomba on Sunday.
He added there was “a genuine level of excitement around the team” after the recruitment of former Test prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard and the return from injury of inspirational captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to play in one of the NRL’s best-credentialled forward packs.