3 minute read
Tom Trbojevic's absence from Manly's line-up is providing comfort to Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook after being mauled by the NRL superstar twice in 2021.
Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook admits it is a relief knowing the Titans will face Manly in Saturday's NRL clash at 4 Pines Park without having to contend with Tom Trbojevic.
Manly had Martin Taupau added to their unavailable list on Friday, with the star prop joining centre Morgan Harper in being sidelined by COVID-19.
But it is the absence of Trbojevic which will continue to remain the talking point, even with the Sea Eagles having won five of their past six without their fullback.
The Manly superstar twice tore the Titans to shreds last season, first playing a leading hand in a 36-0 drubbing in Mudgee last April before a tour de force at CBUS Super Stadium in June.
Trailing 24-8 at halftime, the Sea Eagles piled on an astonishing 48 unanswered points in the second half to secure a 56-24 win with Trbojevic scoring a hat-trick and setting up four more tries in the demolition.
So it's understandable Holbrook will not miss the Manly fullback when his team takes on the Sea Eagles with the Dally M medallist sidelined with a knee injury.
"He's such a good player in the competition, isn't he?," Holbrook said.
"They won quite easily last week without him so they'll be confident but from us, yeah, I mean I'd be lying if I said I wished he was playing, wouldn't I?
"I'm not going to lie you. I'm OK that he's not playing but they're still such a dangerous side so we'll have to play well."
In the absence of Trbojevic last week, the Sea Eagles still claimed a win over a disappointing Newcastle outfit and Holbrook says they remain a serious threat, particularly with halfback Daly Cherry-Evans steering the team's attack.
"He's dictated games himself for a number of years now," Holbrook said.
"Obviously not having Turbo in, he's the most important player in the team and you can't just shut guys like that down because they pop up everywhere.
"He's got so much creativity about his game, whether he'll kick on the third tackle, run on the last, crossfield kick, pop up somewhere.
"Collectively, we've got a job, because he's playing fantastic."
Holbrook has made two changes from the squad that fell 26-20 to Parramatta with Brian Kelly returning from a COVID-19 absence at centre with Phillip Sami shifting to the wing and Corey Thompson omitted.
On the interchange, Sam Lisone displaces Kevin Proctor while Jaymayne Isaako stays at fullback with Jayden Campbell (ribs) still not quite right to return.
