Gold Coast veteran five-eighth Kieran Foran sounds like a 20-year-old version of himself when he says he wants to play with boom off-contract back-rower David Fifita for years to come.
The 32-year-old Foran had a dream club debut in the 40-16 trial win over the Dolphins on Sunday, having a hand in the first three tries and playing with complete control.
It was back-rower Fifita's powerhouse display that was particularly telling given that in the coming weeks he is expected to decide whether to stay at the Titans long-term or join Canberra, as contract negotiations reach their pointy end.
Fifita set up two tries, one with a sublime pass, ran hard out of yardage and had a high involvement rate against the Dolphins on Sunday.
"The club knows how vital he is to this organisation. Everyone in rugby league loves watching Dave Fifita at his best," Foran said post-match.
"I think we saw tonight the variation in his game and the areas that he has been working really hard on in the pre-season, and that the coaches have been putting a lot of effort into.
"He was able to carry the ball hard and come up with some really nice deft touches with his passes. He is a wonderful player and someone I hope I am playing with for a number of years yet."
Foran, showcasing the intelligence which has defined his own career, said "people need to let go" of wanting to see Fifita just score tries and "actually see the overall game of Dave".
"He can do a range of things. He can set tries up and provide really good yardage carries which he has done again tonight," Foran said.
It is the application of Fifita that has impressed the Titans hierarchy this pre-season in particular. His skinfold numbers are A grade and his application to the "one percenters" has been top notch.
Foran is the consummate professional and knows what high standards look like so his own summation of Fifita in that regard carries weight.
"He's applied himself really well over the pre-season and is intent to get himself in the best physical condition," Foran said.
"He is really fit and ready to go."
Foran slotted into his role seamlessly and forged an immediate rapport with new hooker Sam Verrills and half Tanah Boyd.
"For the whole spine it is really important that we build cohesion quickly and I think we've done that off the field and on the pitch," the 2011 premiership winner said.
"We complement each other's games well. I thought Sam was great with his control and vision around the ruck. He's going to be able to give us a really good tempo to play off.
"Tanah was great. His kicking and running game are two huge strengths in his game and that is what he has to do every week."
