Titans depth tested by Olive injury

Concerns for Gold Coast’s backline depth didn’t stop Titans coach Neil Henry giving the green light to Brian Kelly’s Junior Kangaroos call-up.

The Gold Coast are reeling from the news that winger John Olive may be sidelined for months after breaking his collarbone while training with the Junior Kangaroos in Sydney.

The 19-year-old Olive will undergo surgery after suffering a “significant” fracture when he landed awkwardly scoring a try in an opposed session against Samoa.

Henry admitted the injury would further test the Titans’ backline depth.

However, Henry did not think twice about letting Kelly fly out as Olive’s replacement in the Junior Kangaroos starting line-up despite the young flyer only just coming back from a foot injury.

The Junior Kangaroos take on the Junior Kiwis in the curtain raiser for Saturday’s Pacific Test double header in Parramatta.

“You wouldn’t stop anyone from representing their country,” Henry said on Friday.

“Brian was touch and go getting back into the (Titans under) 20s but he is developing nicely.”

Henry revealed ex-South Sydney flyer Olive thought at first he may have escaped injury after crashing down for the try at training.

“He landed awkwardly and didn’t think too much about it initially but X-rays have shown a significant fracture and it requires surgery,” Henry said.

“Who knows for how long (he will be sidelined).”

More scans in the coming days will reveal the injury’s full extent.

Olive moved to the Gold Coast in March from South Sydney, and has scored two tries in four matches for the club.

He has not played first grade since round five.

“It’s pretty disappointing obviously,” Olive said.

“I was looking forward to wearing the green and gold jersey but injuries are part of the game so I just have to work hard as I can to get back.”

Henry has had to constantly reshuffle his backline this season due to injuries.

Besides Olive, another immediate concern is back Leva Li after nursing an ankle complaint at training on Friday.

Henry was toying with injecting backrower Chris McQueen into the centres as cover.

“We are a bit light on in the backs. It tends to happen,” he said.

“Chris McQueen can give us a bit of flexibility playing in the centres but hopefully we stay healthy.”

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