New recruit Shannon Boyd has hit the ground running today, literally.
Boyd and his fellow NRL squad members were welcomed to 2019 pre-season with a 2km time-trial, with the entire coaching staff watching intently as the group were put to the test early. There was nowhere to hide for any individual with all times recorded and that being the base for their work moving forward.
Testing continued after lunch with a range of mobility and strength test taking place on the gym floor, all giving new head of Performance, Dan Ferris, a look at who he'll be working with over the coming months.
Boyd has spent the last week on the Gold Coast in preparation for today and was looking forward to being part of it.
"It was tough actually," Boyd said.
"We went out and it wasn't too bad but then the sun came out and it was pretty full on. It was a bit different for me."
Whilst the former Raider is used to the heat in Canberra, he admitted it was a little different down there.
"Canberra is hot but it's different. You don't have the humidity like up here so that was tough to handle.
"It was hot yesterday and I thought to myself, 'oh here we go', but that's what the pre-season is about."
Boyd has signed with the Titans on a four-year deal and the 26-year-old has a goal of again pulling on a rep jersey. To gain those higher honours, the prop forward believes the sea change might be just what the doctor ordered.
"I think it's the fresh start I needed in my career. Garth was understanding and explained to me that there was a good bunch of boys here and I thought the Gold Coast was a good place to do it.
"I thought about it before I decided and came up for a look on the bye weekend. We had a look at the complex and had a look at some property."
