Usually rivals complain because Greg Inglis is on the field.
But Gold Coast Titans captain Scott Prince is disappointed the suspended fullback won’t be running out for South Sydney in their NRL blockbuster on Sunday.
The Titans are flying high after breaking into the top eight with their third straight win – and sixth in nine games.
It is a remarkable turnaround after the Gold Coast’s season was all but written off when they started with a 2-7 record, including five straight defeats.
But Prince reckoned taking on a runaway Rabbitohs outfit boasting Inglis in the No.1 jersey would have provided a true gauge to their resurgent form.
Indeed the Titans would be the talk of the NRL if not for the South Sydney juggernaut that has risen to No.2 on the ladder.
“I am looking forward to it (on Sunday). It will be a true test. I regard them as the best team in the comp at the moment,” Prince said.
“They are very consistent, they have two young halves (John Sutton, Adam Reynolds) who are the best in the comp at the moment and their pack is star studded.
“(But) you want to play against the best and unfortunately for Souths he (Inglis) will be missing.”
While disappointed not to be tackling Inglis, Prince was not taking his replacement Nathan Merritt for granted after the livewire donned the No.1 jersey to help the Rabbitohs thrash Wests Tigers 32-6 last round – their fifth straight win.
“Nathan Merritt stood up and played outstanding against the Tigers. I don’t think they will be losing too much,” Prince said of his Indigenous All Stars teammate.
“He is very dangerous. He can score a 100m try. Our kick-chase has to be on to snuff out that threat from the back.
“With a player like Nathan it is not about stopping but reducing his impact on the game.”
The Rabbitohs may have captured the NRL faithful’s imagination but the Titans are the potential feel good story of 2012.
Apart from turning around their disastrous on-field form, the Titans are also making progress off it.
Following a dramatic restructure last week, the new Titans chief executive David May claimed their reported $25 million debt would be wiped within weeks.
“Everyone has been working hard, we haven’t turned on each other (and) players have been willing to sacrifice a few things,” Prince said.
“I am very proud of the guys but it won’t mean anything if we don’t play September football.”
