Sam Verrills is a very happy man to be kicked out of the Titans' rehab WhatsApp group chat.
After a pain-staking 11 weeks recovering from a troublesome collarbone injury that he aggravated in Round 2, the 50-game rake is excited to be back and ready to play his first ever game at Cbus Super Stadium since joining his new club at the start of 2023.
Admitting it has been a tough start to his Gold Coast journey after a rollercoaster ride in his first six months since swapping Bondi for Burleigh, the 24-year-old is excited to be back lacing up the boots against South Sydney this weekend and waving goodbye to the stumbling block that sidelined him for the extended period.
"It's not the best start to have at a club getting injured in game two and I had a really good pre-season and got super fit and was really looking forward to a long year being the starting hooker here at the Titans," Verrills said.
"Obviously injuries are a part of the game and you don't plan on having them and this has been a little setback, but I'm now past that and I don't plan on going back in that WhatsApp group chat.
"I broke it last year and again this year, but there's more plates and screws in there so I'm pretty confident that I won't do it again.
"It's rewarding to be able to just get on the field and play with the team this week and there's no better opportunity to go than against the Rabbitohs."
Match: Titans v Rabbitohs
Round 14 -
home Team
Titans
14th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
2nd Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Verrills' return comes at an opportune time for the Titans, fresh from the bye and relishing the chance to be back in front of home fans after a seven week hiatus.
They are also matched up against a vulnerable Rabbitohs outfit who have lost their past two clashes at home in Sydney, but despite Souths facing a tough task on the road, the No. 9 knows they'll be no easy feat.
"The Bunnies have lost two in a row now as well, so they're obviously going to come out firing," Verrills said.
"I know they won't want to lose three in a row because it's such a tight comp this year and they lost a tight one against the Raiders on the weekend.
"They've got their Origin boys back and we'll have our Origin boys back and it's going to be a pretty good game.
"We haven't played in front of our home fans in a while and I haven't even played at Cbus, so I'm really looking forward to getting out there on our home turf on Saturday night in front of a really big crowd and give it to one of the best teams in the comp."
Verrills goes over from close range
The former Rooster is also relishing his chance to face off against Damien Cook, who will have added fire in the belly after being unlucky to miss out on New South Wales selection; last meeting in the fiery 2022 elimination final when Verrills was still wearing the tri-colours.
"He's had a good year and obviously him and Api are the two premier [Blues] hookers at the moment for the Blues," he said.
"He did enough to make the Blues squad but Api's obviously a great player as well, so he's definitely going to want to play good as well and prove the selectors wrong.
"He's always been a great hooker and I'm looking forward to versing him this week."
