Titans rookie emulates Qld league great

They say a young player can’t go wrong copying the routine of an established NRL star but Gold Coast’s Cameron Cullen has taken that mantra to extremes.

Former Brisbane and Queensland star Allan Langer reportedly used to get so nervous before every match, he’d vomit.

And if Cullen’s Titans teammate Ash Taylor is to be believed, it’s a part of the 22-year-old’s pre-match routine as well.

Cullen made his first-grade debut alongside fellow ex-Broncos prospect Taylor in last weekend’s loss to Cronulla.

If there was any doubt about the enormity of the occasion, it was made clear to Taylor when he spoke to Cullen before kickoff.

“He used to spew up a lot before games and I walked into the toilet in the changing rooms and he came out and goes ‘that’s the longest one I’ve ever done’,” Taylor said.

“He said ‘that was painful’ … but I’m sure he went in with a lot of confidence.”

The rookie pair both scored tries as the Titans were narrowly defeated 25-20 by the Sharks.

Now Taylor and Cullen are preparing to continue their partnership against struggling St George Illawarra this Saturday with Tyrone Roberts (knee) still battling to prove his fitness.

Taylor, who has played all six Titans matches this season since his switch from Brisbane at the end of the 2015 campaign, says coming up against the Dragons pair of Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop is what first grade is all about.

“It’d be great, they have a lot of experience behind them,” the 21-year-old said of the Dragons’ halves.

“It’s week-in, week-out … obviously, Benji and Gareth are great players. I’m just looking forward to the challenge. I’m a rookie this year and I’m just looking to get out there and mix it with them.”

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