Justin Holbrook does not arrive on the Gold Coast until the end of the month, but the incoming Titans coach is already notching the victories – with the Super League champion coach acting as a magnet for the world’s best players.
St Helens premiership winger Regan Grace – currently in Australia with the Wales World Nines squad in Sydney – could not have been more direct about his NRL ambitions yesterday, declaring outright that he wants to be a Titan.
“The Gold Coast, so I can go see my old coach Justin Holbrook,” Grace told News Corp papers when asked which NRL team he aspired to play for.
“I have a best mate who lives up on the Gold Coast as well, so it would be good to catch up with him.
“I’d love to be able to get to that standard and test myself out here.”
There is no doubt that love would be reciprocated by Titans fans should the 22-year-old make the leap to the Gold Coast when his contract with St Helens expires at the end of 2021.
Grace scored 22 tries in 33 games for St Helens this year, and clocked a top speed of 36.7km/h in a game against Hull KR, which would have put him second on the list of NRL speedsters in 2019 behind Josh Addo-Carr’s 38.5km/h and ahead of Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell.
Grace in top gear would have also eclipsed Titans winger Phil Sami’s epic chase of Addo-Carr against the Storm in Round 23, when the Gold Coaster hit a top speed of 35.9lm/h to reel “The Fox” in before the tryline.
Holbrook’s incredible success with St Helens and his outstanding rapport with his players will make the Gold Coast a popular choice for English players looking to try their hand in the NRL.
Already, the Titans have been linked in media circles with St Helens prop Luke Thompson, who won the Harry Sunderland Trophy as player of the match in the Super League grand final, as well as his premiership front-row partner Alex Walmsley.
