Titans recruit Eddy Pettybourne says he still wants to prove he can play in the NRL

Titans recruit Eddy Pettybourne says he still wants to prove he’s good enough to play in the NRL
AAP FEBRUARY 17, 2015 11:55AM

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GOLD Coast recruit Eddy Pettybourne enjoyed his season in the English Super League but the 27-year-old always wanted to return to the NRL.

The former South Sydney and Wests Tigers forward spent 2014 playing for Wigan but admits his time in England’s north-west wasn’t always the easiest.

While his wife was by his side, the rest of Pettybourne’s family was back in Sydney, a fact he never really got to terms with. There was also the burning desire to prove he was still good enough to play in the NRL.

“When I went over there, it was a good experience but at the same time you wanted to be at the top level of rugby league and the NRL is the top league in the world,” he said.

“There’s a few things that I want to prove to everyone that I can play in the NRL.” Pettybourne has made an instant impact at the Titans, where his experience will be vital in a forward pack missing retired duo Ashley Harrison and Luke Bailey as well as Mark Minichiello. The Samoa and United States international is pushing to make the starting line-up when the Titans take on his former club the Tigers in their March 7 season opener.

With Ryan James showing impressive pre-season form, Luke Douglas back from the ASADA ban and fellow recruit David Hala pushing for the front-row, Pettybourne knows nothing can be taken for granted. “It’s a tough pack. Everyone wants to be in the squad,” he said. “You’ve just got to play good footy and let Neil (Henry) pick his team.”