SPORT llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ntnews.com.au Titans look to new blood RUGBY LEAGUE 18-strong Titans squad named twright talked up 103kg, excites as a coach. He’s fear- ing there (but) physically he but also included Matt Srama for Saturday night’s season 185cm ex-Cook Islands rep less, he takes the ball and is as strong as anyone and I on the bench, hinting that A MULTI-million dollar off- opener against North Queens- Peyroux as Idris’ centre part- runs with it, and the other think as the year goes on he they could share No. 9 duties season shopping spree snared land in Townsville. ner against the Cowboys. players feed off him.’’ will put pressure on for a against North Queensland. Gold Coast some of the NRL’s However, lesser lights ‘‘It’s funny how opportunit- Backrower Ridge, 22, was starting spot,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s nice to have those two biggest names — but it was Dominique Peyroux and Ben ies can open up for you,’’ Car- named on an extended bench ‘‘I rate him very highly. hookers — I think they will two largely unknown players Ridge were the names on twright said of the 23-year- but Cartwright would not be ‘‘He’s in that age bracket surprise a lot of people,’’ Car- who had coach John Car- Cartwright’s lips ahead of old. ‘‘He got a taste of first surprised if the former where he has a bit of confid- twright said. twright buzzing yesterday. Round 1. grade last year and got a new Australian Schoolboy rep was ence. I really think he is a Captain Scott Prince will be Prized recruits Jamal Idris, Hardly pining over the loss contract with the club, and in the starting side soon. player of the future.’’ paired with yet another new Luke Douglas and Nate Myles of another recruit in Beau now he’s starting. ‘‘There were a few you Cartwright named Kayne five-eighth in Jordan Rankin all took pride of place in an Champion (finger), Car- ‘‘He is one guy who really would have no problem putt- Lawton as his starting hooker this weekend. Hasler confident top Dogs PUB: are ready CANTERBURY coach Des NT NEWS Hasler has dismissed con- cerns his Bulldogs will be underdone when they open their NRL campaign against Penrith on Saturday night. Bulldogs skipper Michael Ennis will go into Round 1 DATE: without a pre-season game under his belt, while Has- ler’s other key playmaker — halfback Trent Hodkinson 29-FEB-2012 — played half a game in the final trial against Canberra. Hasler, heading into his first game in charge of the club, said the combination the pair established in 2011 negated the need for a trial. Ennis declared himself over his injury concerns, PAGE: having not played since un- dergoing neck surgery in July before a knee arthro- scope hampered his pre- 52 season preparations. ‘‘The neck’s fantastic, I COLOR: haven’t had a drama with that since (the operation),’’ Ennis said. ‘‘I’ve been back into running, this is the third week now. I probably could have pushed if I C wanted to play the Raiders game a week or so ago. M ‘‘I’m pretty confident with Y the amount of football and Parramatta recruit Ben Roberts, going through a stretching drill at training yesterday, is looking forward to partnering Chris Sandow Picture: STEPHEN COOPER scrimmage that we’re doing K on the field, that whilst I may be a little underdone, I’ve certainly done enough Eels recruits aiming to help out the Hayne plane pre-seasons now to know what it takes to get yourself PARRAMATTA recruit Ben up with the former South sponsibilities in the past two Veteran Luke Burt will right for a season.’’ Roberts is excited about the Sydney halfback, who will seasons. line-up in the fullback spot It’s why Hasler won’t let potential of his halves also make his debut for the The 26-year-old believes with Cheyse Blair to make the less than ideal prep- pairing with Chris Sandow, Eels against the Broncos. Hayne can just concentrate his NRL debut on the wing. arations change his expec- even if it might take a few ‘‘It’s a new combination on picking his moments to Once we connect, Prop Tim Mannah (knee) tations heading into the rounds for the pair to fire. but I honestly believe that the break a game apart with he will play despite his own in- season opener. Roberts, who joined the more game time we get to- and Sandow taking care of it’ll be good jury worries, as will Reni While some are predicting Eels in an off-season switch gether the better we’ll get,’’ the playmaking duties. Maitua, who missed the pre- the Bulldogs could be a from Canterbury, will play Roberts said. ‘‘Once we con- ‘‘With me and Chrissy season trials due to an premiership force under the inside Sandow in the Eels’ nect, it’ll be good.’’ there trying to steer the team Hayne wasn’t named to ankle injury. man who has guided Manly season opener against Bris- Roberts also feels he and around it obviously takes the play the Broncos as he con- ‘‘There’s a bunch of us in- to two titles in the last four bane on Friday at Parramatta Sandow can help lift the bur- pressure off Haynesy and lets tinues to struggle with the jured boys who are 50-50 in years, Hasler is not getting Stadium. And the former den on fullback Jarryd him do what’s best for him, knee injury suffered earlier terms of getting ourselves carried away. Kiwi international says he’s Hayne, who has had to carry and that’s running the foot- this month against Penrith in right for the game,’’ Mannah ‘‘These first five rounds, looking forward to teaming most of the Eels’ attacking re- ball,’’ Roberts said. a trial. said. sides are just settling in, but we want to be competitive,’’ he said. ‘‘That’s the only real expectation that you can put on this side yet, Tigers star Ellis to head back to England next year given the fact that they’re such a young side too.’’ GARETH Ellis — one of the His impact on the Tigers is and Leeds before arriving in really enjoyed my time at The Tigers are the bookies’ Hasler has recalled for- greatest English imports to summed up by the fact he Australia for the 2009 season. Wests Tigers. I have a young favourite heading into the mer Kiwi Test winger play in the NRL — will return snared the club’s Player of The 31-year-old re- son now, my wife Rachael campaign, with centre Chris Bryson Goodwin to the top home next year after being the Year title in each of his negotiated a new contract and I feel it is time to head Lawrence admitting the club grade after he was dumped released by Wests Tigers. three seasons in Australia, in midway through 2011, which home to our families at the had to take care of the regular to the NSW Cup last June, The Tigers allowed Ellis to a side containing Benji included an option for him to end of this season.’’ season first — starting with while Josh Reynolds has opt out of the final year of his Marshall and Robbie Farah. leave after this season. His impending departure Sunday’s tussle against pipped Kris Keating for the deal in 2013, with the English Ellis had always indicated ‘‘I feel the time is right for will only heighten the Tigers’ Cronulla at Leichhardt Oval. No. 6 jumper alongside Hod- Test backrower likely to head an intention to finish his ca- me to return to England,’’ El- desperation to clinch this ‘‘We’ve always aimed for kinson. England prop James back to Leeds, where he reer back home, having lis said. ‘‘It was a difficult de- year’s title, having come so the top four,’’ he said. ‘‘The Graham will start the game played from 2005-2008. played for Wakefield Trinity cision to make as I have close in the past two years. main thing is to start well.’’ from the bench. 52 NT NEWS. Wednesday, February 29, 2012. www.ntnews.com.au.