Remember the name, Josiah Pahulu.
The 19-year-old Ipswich product made his debut for the Gold Coast Titans against the Cowboys in Townsville and held his own despite the 35-22 loss for his side.
A former Ipswich State High School Rugby League Excellence Program student, the young but bulking prop worked his craft as a Springfield Panthers junior.
After being named to start from the bench, he was one of three changes to the final 17, clashing with his former teammate Kulikefu Finefeuiaki lining up for the team from the tropics.
The trip to Townsville marked Pahulu’s maiden NRL appearance after joining the Gold Coast outfit in 2023, fresh from captaining Ipswich State High School to a historic Queensland and National Schoolboy Cup title.
He hit the field in the 26th minute replacing big man Moeaki Fotuaika in a first half that was a baptism by fire with the home side leading 16-0 at halftime thanks to tries from Zac Laybutt (5’), Murray Taulagi (14’) and Scott Drinkwater (32’).
On the buzzer of halftime there were positive signs from the Titans, with fellow debutant Harley Smith-Shields crossing for a try before it being called a no try as teams headed for the sheds.
Returning from the break, Brian Kelly crossed for the first points for the Titans before Drinkwater (50’) notched up his second for the day and Reece Robson (53’) scored also.
The Titans cut the margin down to six with tries from Jayden Campbell (57’), Klese Haas (62’) and Beau Fermor (64’), but it proved to not be enough against the strong Cowboys side.
In the end, the Cowboys rode off into the sunset with a 35-22 win moving to the top of the ladder as the Titans stay at the bottom of the ladder.
Pahulu saw 31 minutes of game time but with a Titans squad yet to record a win this season it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to see the bulking young gun earn further minutes in coming games.
