Titans build around size and speed

A NEW-LOOK Northern Rivers Titans men’s team will kick-start its rugby league representative season with a huge round of competition on home soil.

The open men’s and women’s teams will play the Greater Northern Tigers at Crozier Field Lismore on Saturday, March 8.

Men’s coach Wayne Forbes said he had a large talent pool to pick from, with 13 clubs playing in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League first grade competition last year.

The side has been built around speed and youth in the backline, while there is plenty of experience in the forward pack.

“The boys have been training well and are really excited for the first game,” Forbes said.

“The plan was to look for the emerging talent and pick a team that was going to be mobile around the park. Now we’ve settled on a final squad of 21.”

Injuries played a part in the campaign last year, with halfback Todd Carney tearing his bicep in an early game.

Forbes said the squad is well-balanced and only a handful of players across the competition were unavailable for selection this year.

Meanwhile, the open women will look for their second win of the season after an 18-8 victory over the North Coast Bulldogs in the first round.

The team has plenty of talent, with Northern United five-eighth Karri Williams co-captain of the team with Lower Clarence lock Raeyah Kapeen.

The team is coached by United first grade coach Chris Binge and is looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd.

“We’ve got a solid team this year, one of the strongest I’ve been part of,” Williams said.

“We’ve been putting the work in and I’m confident everyone will represent and honour the Northern Rivers region.”

The day will also feature junior representative league with the under-16 Andrew Johns Cup and under-18 Laurie Daley Cup, with a junior girls under-17 game in the Lisa Fiaola Cup.

The open women’s game kicks off at 11.20am with the men to play at 3.30pm.