'Couldn't ask for more': Murphy confident of avenging 2022 disappointment

Karyn Murphy is under no illusions the Cowboys have got plenty to play for in their inaugural match when they face the Gold Coast on Saturday.

But so do the Titans... who were disappointed to have finished bottom of the table last season and now eager to make amends of the lacklustre campaign, especially with the chance to start 2023 strong in front of what is expected to be a boisterous home crowd in the first of four showings at Cbus Super Stadium this year.

With 13 fresh faces joining Murphy's squad in her second stint at the helm, the experienced mentor is confident the new recruits have bonded quickly and are ready to turn around the results and make a finals berth in the expanded competition.

"Early on, we talked about what sort of footy team we want to be here at the Titans (after last season's disappointment)," Murphy said.

"The girls have come up with their own trademarks and behaviours to establish what type of footy team we want to be both on and off the field and you'll see this Saturday... it'll be a different footy team out there.

"I couldn't ask for more from the girls. We spoke right on day one about respecting the past and building on what we have had here.

"The most important thing is with a new group, new roster and new staffing is coming together as quick as we can and the girls have really done a great job in that, even with some of the disruptions - if we want to call it that - of our Origin girls coming in and out.

"Everyone who's been here is connected really well and I couldn't ask for more."

Admitting honing in on the final 17 for the season opener was a tough decision, the Gold Coast will see seven new faces making their club debut against the Cowboys - three of whom will play in their first-ever NRLW fixture, including young gun Chantay Kiria-Ratu who has won the battle for the No. 7 jersey over fellow rising star Sienna Lofipo.

"I think with our roster in general, we spoke about our depth is going to be really important as we get through the longer season, so all 24 have got to be ready to go at any time," Murphy said.

"That halfback spot was a really tough call. Chantay (Kiria-Ratu) and Sienna (Lofipo) were the halves pairing last week for the Queensland Under 19s and rightfully are the two best halves in the state at the moment in that category I think.

"To make the decision between those two for Round 1 was difficult, but Chantay will get the start this week."

Despite despatching the Cowboys 30-6 in the trial at the start of the month, Murphy knows the threat they possess - including their spine of Fran Goldthorp, Kirra Dibb and Emma Manzelmann mixed with the emotion of creating history - but her primary focus this week has been on her team and the style of footy they want to showcase.

"This week's been a big focus on worrying about ourselves and how we want to play but of course, we've had a look at their lineup," she said.

"Kirra has got a lot of experience in the halves and a very good kicking game and Emma is always very dangerous at nine from the quick play-the-balls there. We haven't seen a lot of Fran but we did see her at the World Cup and she's a good running fullback, so we've touched on those players and a couple of others this week.

"We know the Cowboys will be coming to play for the first time and I know North Queensland are definitely rugby league mad, so they'll be right behind those girls.

"We did have them at the trial at the start of the month, but trials are trials and it's different Round 1 and those girls would definitely be coming down here ready to go, but the real focus is on us this week."

Kick-off is at 12.50pm on Saturday - the first of two games at Cbus Super Stadium.