Queenslander Ash Taylor will have the chance to re-establish himself as an NRL player on the green fields of the Moreton Daily Stadium.
And he will be doing it in an unfamiliar jersey – as a New Zealand Warrior.
Taylor is hoping to see more time on the field with the Warriors when they meet his former club the Gold Coast Titans in a full-scale NRL trial at Redcliffe this Saturday at 2pm.
After leaving the Titans last year, Taylor was offered a train and trial deal with the Warriors, who are based at Redcliffe for the 2022 season.
He impressed enough to win a full-time contract with the Warriors and made his debut for the club in the 30-18 trial win over Melbourne last weekend.
“It’s been a different experience coming from always being top 30 to a train and trial contract,” said Taylor.
“It’s been tough at times but I just had to put my head down. I wanted to work hard and I got rewarded with a contract so it’s been awesome so far.
“Obviously I haven’t cemented a spot so I’ve got to trial well, get our combinations working and hopefully get a round one jersey.”
Taylor is hopeful he will get a further chance to impress this Saturday at Moreton Daily Stadium, with the team to be announced tomorrow.
With Shaun Johnson returning, the Warriors have plenty of depth in the halves when you add incumbents Kodi Nikorima and Chanel Harris-Tavita.
The advantage Taylor has is that he knows what to expect from his former outfit, who had a 26-all trial draw with the Broncos on Saturday.
“The Titans are a team on the up,” said Taylor.
“They’re a young team and it’ll be an awesome trial, but my heart’s here now – so we boys here at the Warriors have to put our best foot forward and hopefully start the year well.
“The fields look great (at Moreton Daily Stadium) and Redcliffe has a great facility here.”