Team’s in a solid spot
THE Titans are playing hardball with Blues debutant Nathan Peats, who is unlikely to secure the contract upgrade he is pushing for despite his Origin elevation.
Peats will make his State of Origin debut for NSW in next Wednesday’s series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
He arrived in Blues camp yesterday along with Titans teammate Jarryd Hayne as cover for hooker Peter Wallace, who was later ruled out for four to six weeks with a groin injury.
Peats and the Titans have been at loggerheads over a proposed contract extension with the dummy-half’s management rejecting two offers BRONCOS BRISBANE’S Origin players are confident they have left the Broncos in safe hands ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Warriors.
The Broncos notched a solid 36-0 win on Friday and while it was expected, Sam Thaiday said those could often be the toughest games to win.
“Our focus (on Friday) turned to keeping the Tigers to that nil score and that’s a real attitude thing,” he said. from the Gold Coast. A sticking point of the negotiations has been the value of Origin clauses in the contract and Peats’ selection for the Blues is likely to further fuel the debate.
If Hayne, as expected, activates a $1.2 million option to stay at the Titans in 2018, it will become increasingly difficult for the Titans to increase their offer to Peats. Peats may have earned his Origin debut through good fortune, but Titans teammate Anthony Don said he was ready and urged him to stay on the Gold Coast.
“Of course I hope he sticks around,” Don said. “He’s one of our best players.
“His form over the last few years has definitely warranted a call-up. He’s such a strong defensive player and plays good footy in attack too. He’s a player that will thrive in that environment.”
While Hayne and Peats will play for NSW, prop Jarrod Wallace will have to wait a bit longer before making his Origin debut after being named on standby for Nate Myles.
“Wallace was very close,” coach Kevin Walters said. “He will play Origin at some stage.”