Gold Coast coach John Cartwright has challenged Dave Taylor to inspire a weakened Titans following his State of Origin snub.
Taylor was overlooked by Queensland selectors for next week’s State of Origin series opener despite the indifferent form of Chris McQueen and Josh Papalii.
But his omission at least means one of Cartwright’s big names is available for Saturday’s NRL clash with the Warriors at Robina with several players unavailable, suspended or injured for the Titans.
“He has to (step up) if that (playing Origin) is his ambition,” Cartwright said of Taylor.
“They’re not going to want guys who kick stones and I’ve got no doubt he won’t.
“He’s in the best form he’s been in at our club over the last six weeks and I expect him to do the same.”
Aidan Sezer (pectoral) and Ash Harrison (neck) are both long-term casualties while Nate Myles (Origin) and Greg Bird (suspended) are also unavailable.
Albert Kelly will return in place of Sezer after missing last week’s loss to Brisbane while Will Zillman has been named as captain despite facing a concussion test himself later in the week.
The Warriors have also made changes with Kevin Locke starting on the wing and Ngani Laumape at centre.
There are also moves in the forward pack with Ben Henry going to the back row, Ben Matulino slotting in at prop and Suaia Matagi going back to the bench where Silive Havili also returns for his first game since his Test debut for New Zealand.
Reni Maitua and Moses Mbye are the new halves combination for Canterbury in Friday’s clash with the Sydney Roosters to cover NSW picks Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds.
Krisnan Inu will join Maitua in making a first NRL appearance this season with Chase Stanley moving to centre to replace Josh Morris while Dale Finucane starts in the second-row for another Origin pick Tony Williams.
Halfback Mitchell Pearce returns from his one-match club ban for the Roosters while Samisoni Langi and Mitch Aubusson come in for NSW pair Daniel Tupou and Michael Jennings.
Dylan Napa comes in for injured Boyd Cordner in the second-row while Kane Evans and Remi Casty are on the bench while Aidan Guerra prepares for his Origin debut for Queensland.
Wests Tigers have picked Joel Luani to replace NSW hooker Robbie Farah while Marty Taupau starts at prop for Aaron Woods.
Their opponents Brisbane have named Ben Hannant, Lachlan Maranta and Jake Granville with Matt Gillett, Justin Hodges and Corey Parker on Queensland duty. Recruit Martin Kennedy has also been recalled to an extended bench after his demotion to Queensland Cup last weekend.
Canberra will aim to halt their losing run against an understrength North Queensland on Sunday with the Cowboys missing Origin stars Johnathan Thurston, James Tamou, Matt Scott and Brent Tate.
Injured pair Gavin Cooper (hip) and Cameron King (knee) are also out for the Cowboys, with Curtis Rona, Ray Thompson, Jason Taumalolo, Ashton Sims and Ethan Lowe coming into the starting side.
Raiders enforcer Papalii is out after making the Maroons squad, while playmaker Mitch Cornish will make his NRL debut from the interchange bench.
South Sydney have named Nathan Merritt as the replacement for Queensland star Greg Inglis; Bryson Goodwin’s error-riddled performance against Melbourne has him demoted to the bench for Monday’s clash with Cronulla.
The Sharks have named Daniel Holdsworth at five-eighth for the injured Todd Carney (hamstring) while Tinirau Arona and Chris Heighington take the starting spots of NSW representatives Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis.
