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Titans unfazed by misfiring Fifita

3 minute read

Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook is unfazed by Titans-bound David Fifita's misfiring display in Brisbane's 18-6 NRL loss.

Titans Head Coach JUSTIN HOLBROOK
Titans Head Coach JUSTIN HOLBROOK Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The stage was set for David Fifita to show Gold Coast what to expect next NRL season.

But Titans coach Justin Holbrook had no complaints after the barnstorming Brisbane back-rower mis-fired in their 18-6 loss to Gold Coast on Saturday.

Indeed Holbrook reckoned it confirmed what he knew all along - the Titans won't be a one man team when Fifita arrives on the tourist strip next year.

Interim Broncos mentor Peter Gentle appeared to offer a word of warning to the Titans after Fifita was well held in their derby loss at Cbus Super Stadium - a record ninth straight defeat for the former glamour club.

Fifita ran 150m but was relatively quiet, only threatening to grab the game by the scruff when he barged over in the 35th minute before replays showed he knocked on over the line.

It wasn't quite what Gentle had in mind when he warned before the game that Fifita would "show them what they are getting" before moving to the Gold Coast next season on a lucrative three-year deal.

"A lot of teams are doing their homework on Dave now, they are leading very early on him and getting up in his face," Gentle said.

"The Titans when they get him here can't rely on Dave to be a one-man team.

"People have to do some work around him.

"There are areas of Dave's game that we are working on and I am sure Justin (Holbrook) will as well."

Holbrook was unfazed by Fifita's display, even agreeing with Gentle that the Titans would not be able to rely solely on the Queensland back-rower in 2021.

"I am glad Pete said that because I have said it myself," Holbrook said.

"He is just coming here to do his job in our side."

But Holbrook believed the foundations had already been laid to support Fifita in 2021 after his spine again fired in what was their third straight win on Saturday.

Halves Ash Taylor and captain Jamal Fogarty again combined well while fullback AJ Brimson has provided another dimension since returning from a back injury six weeks ago.

The Gold Coast's 2021 pack will also be bolstered by the arrival of Melbourne wrecking ball Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Newcastle's Herman Eseese.

"Ash and Jamal Fogarty are doing a great job and we have got AJ there, so plenty of key guys in our side (to help Fifita)," Holbrook said of 2021.

"Dave is just going to add to that next year and I am really excited about that - he is a great player."

Holbrook's main focus was continuing the Titans' late season resurgence after notching their fourth win in six games.

They are all but guaranteed of being the highest placed Queensland team this year after beating Brisbane twice in a season - the first time any Gold Coast franchise had achieved the feat.

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