NYC Round 9: TITANS vs DRAGONS [Archive]

DIEHARD

12-05-13, 12:05 PM

NYC Titans looking for two straight

Coach Jamie O’Connor has spent this week trying to rediscover the formula that transformed his Titans NYC team into giant-killers last weekend.

The Titans Under 20s are at home against the Dragons on Sunday and coach O’Connor believes he has the chemistry to conjure another upset.

“Our win last weekend against the Warriors in New Zealand was significant,’’ he said

“I believe it was our club’s first Under 20s win there and really put our season back on track. I have a lot of belief in this team, but after a few losses certainly the confidence was down

“However against the Warriors our halves (Matt Beddow and Kane Elgey) played with so much more patience. Our experienced players such as Hymel Hunt and Matt Russell were great and across the park there was a real desire to play out the 80 minutes.

“However I have told them that at this level consistency is the key. You can’t be up one week and down the next.

“The boys have been really positive at training. They are starting to realise what they can do.”

O’Connor expects another gruelling clash with the11th-placed Dragons boasting a side with plenty of muscle. However he believes last weekend can be a major turning point.

“We won’t change too much for the Dragons,’’ he said.

“We’ve tinkered with a few things at training to make the sessions more fun, which has created greater energy.”

O’Connor expects another strong running display from Hunt, who has been moved from the centres to the back row to see more ball. Murwillumbah prop Mitchell Hall has again been given the task of getting the Titans’ youngsters on the front foot.

O’Connor’s big hope is that more Gold Coasters will get out to Skilled Park to see the next generation of Titans NRL stars.

“These guys love playing at home and so many of them came up through the local juniors – Jahrome Hughes (Currumbin), Kurtis McDonald (PBC), Matt Beddow (Southport), Kane Elgey (Currumbin), Mitch Hall (Murwillumbah), Kyle McConnell (Southport), Sam Harold (Tugun), Nathan Wilson (Burleigh) and Mitch Ardler (Runaway Bay),’’ he said.

The Titans v Dragons NYC clash kicks off at 12.45pm at Skilled Park on Sunday.

http://www.titans.com.au