The threat of wild weather hasn't curbed Gold Coast coach Neil Henry's enthusiasm for Saturday night's crunch NRL trial against North Queensland in Cairns.
Henry named his strongest squad available, setting up some intriguing duels for key positions ahead of next month's NRL season opener.
Perhaps the most tantalising is ex-Kiwi No.1 Josh Hoffman and William Zillman going head to head for the fullback role.
However, the jury is out on whether the Titans get to take on an equally formidable Cowboys outfit led by Johnathan Thurston.
Not one but two cyclones are threatening north Queensland this week, promising strong winds and torrential rain in Cairns on Saturday night.
A veteran of unpredictable weather after almost 10 years working at the Cowboys, Henry said he had his fingers crossed the game would be played, albeit in wet conditions.
"I was up there nine years and played plenty of wet trials up there," the former Cowboys coach said.
"And (Cairns') Barlow Park drains really well - that won't be an issue if it is wet.
"It is whether we can get in and out of the place, whether the airport is closed.
"We will wait and see - there is no point worrying about it too much now.
"Our indications are that the game will go ahead."
Test forwards Nate Myles and Greg Bird will have their first hit-outs of 2015, newcomer Eddy Pettybourne is on the bench and five-eighth Aidan Sezer returns from a cheekbone injury suffered at the Auckland Nines.
Henry said the only players not named for the trial who would be considered for their March 7 season opener against the Wests Tigers were hooker Beau Falloon (hamstring) and forward David Hala (illness).
On the strength of his impressive Indigenous All Stars display last weekend, Kierran Moseley will start at hooker with Matt Srama his back-up.
Henry said he would rotate Zillman and new recruit Hoffman between fullback and centre against the Cowboys in a bid to relieve one of his biggest headaches ahead of round one.
He said Zillman (adductor) and Hoffman (knee) overcame niggles this week.
Also in the backline, Anthony Don gets a crack on the wing ahead of Kalifa Faifai Loa with Kevin Gordon coming off an extended bench.
Gold Coast Titans trial squad: William Zillman, David Mead, Josh Hoffman, James Roberts, Anthony Don, Aidan Sezer, Daniel Mortimer, Luke Douglas, Kierran Moseley, Nate Myles (capt), Ryan James, David Taylor, Greg Bird. Interchange: Ryan Simpkins, Matt White, Matt Robinson, Kane Elgey, Kevin Gordon, Eddy Pettybourne, Matt Srama, Brad Tighe, Lachlan Burr.
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