By NEIL CADIGAN
Seagulls Intrust Super Cup coach Aaron Zimmerle has one main instruction for his team as they open the 2017 campaign against the flamboyant Ipswich Jets at Piggabeen tomorrow (2pm) – “play out game, not there’s”.
After impressive trial form based on aggressive and committed defence, the Gulls know that will mean for nothing tomorrow unless they stick with the patterns and processes they been concentrating on during the pre-season.
The side will be boosted by Gold Coast Titans forwards Eddy Pettybourne and Morgan Boyle coming into the 17. Boyle will start at lock with Nick Harrold dropping to the bench and Pettybourne comes onto the bench.
Pettybourne – showing a new look after cropping his long locks for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave – comes into the Seagulls’ system after being allocated to Burleigh Bears the previous two seasons. With well over 100 games in the NRL with Souths, Wests Tigers and the Titans and a season with Super League side Wigan, he brings a lot of class and leadership to the team.
In the other changes, Titans props Kurt Bernard and Ben Nakabuwai will reunite for the first time since their Melbourne Storm under-20s games and will start with Carne Doyle dropping to a very strong bench and co-captain Damian Sironen not quite right with injury and dropping out.
“The key is we play our game and not be drawn into trying to match their expansive game,” said Zimmerle.
“If we play direct, and show the defensive attitude we have shown in the pre-season, that will lay the platform against the Jets.
“We have size this year, and I was impressed with how the Titans boys Kurt and Ben played in the trial against the Knights, so I will start with them and Carne Doyle and Eddy Pettybourne come off the bench gives us plenty there.
“Shane Gillham drops back to 18th and we’ll give Damian Sironen another week with his shoulder. That shows what depth we have up front this year with Ethan Price yet to come back (back injury) too.”
Boyle, the 20-year-old Canberra Raiders product who played for the Titans in the Auckland Nines and trials, has impressed in the pre-season in his second season on the Gold Coast.
Get down to see the Intrust Super Cup team kick-off the season at 2pm at Piggabeen on Sunday, with two earlier matches – the under-20s at 12.25pm and the under-18s at 10.50am.
| SEAGULLS’ RD 1 TEAM vs IPSWICH |
| Lindon McGrady |
| Adam Barnes |
| Talor Walters |
| James Toole |
| Regan Muir |
| Sione Alofi |
| Michael Burgess |
| Kurt Bernard |
| Sam Meskell (capt) |
| Ben Nakabuwai |
| Lamar Liolevave |
| Sam Saville |
| Morgan Boyle |
| INTERCHANGE |
| Carne Doyle |
| Nick Harrold |
| Eddy Pettybourne |
| Will Johnstone |
| 18th man |
| Shane Gillham |
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