Next man up: Spine switch no worry for Holbrook
Justin Holbrook may have been forced to shake-up his spine ahead of the Titans' Easter Sunday clash against the Dragons, but he has no concerns with the two youngsters next in line.
Dynamo Jayden Campbell will start his first game of 2023 in the No. 1 jersey; meanwhile, Toby Sexton will get his shot through a recall to the halves, earned after a strong start for Tweed in the Hostplus Cup.
Having not played NRL since Round 20 last year, his fresh shot in the top grade has lifted the 21-year-old's energy levels to another notch this week, with the Titans coach wanting that to be his approach against the very side his debuted against.
"He's really excited and looking forward to his opportunity and so he should," Holbrook said.
"That's the way I want him to go into the game... not worry about anything and just be really happy to be in the side, which he is, and he will do the job that he knows he can do."
Match: Titans v Dragons
Round 6 -
home Team
Titans
8th Position
away Team
Dragons
14th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Whilst incumbent No. 7 Tanah Boyd will remain as the chief supremo in the clash, the message is simple for the reinvigorated Australian Schoolboy.
"I just want him to play to his strengths," Holbrook said.
"He is a really good kicker the ball and is a really good organiser, so he's just got to play the way he knows how and we'll make him fit into our side."
Holbrook also has no worries with Campbell's inclusion into the starting side to fill fullback duties - a role he is more than familiar playing after 14 games in that same jersey last season.
"We love him JC, and he's a great player," he said.
"It's a shame we're missing AJ, but we don't really miss much when we've got JC there, so I'm really excited to have him in the side."
Expecting a bumper crowd at Cbus Super Stadium to help celebrate the Easter weekend, the Gold Coast mentor is very much looking forward to returning home - especially after a stoic win against Melbourne at Robina in Round 3.
"I'm really looking forward to it," Holbrook said.
"We're going in to Round 6 and this is only our second home game, so we've had the one and got the win against the Storm, so it'd be great to back it up for the home fans, that's for sure."
