Titans on hunt to get best from star Hayne

THE Titans are on the lookout for a new coach who can do something no man has successfully done before – manage Jarryd Hayne.

The Titans yesterday axed Neil Henry with a year to run on his contract following his dramatic feud with Hayne and the Gold Coast’s slide down the NRL ladder.

A plethora of problems contributed to Henry’s demise following three years at the Titans, but among them was the $1.2 million question: How do you get the best out of Hayne?

Henry was Hayne’s eighth coach in 11 NRL seasons and suffered the fate most of his predecessors had.

“We will start the search for a new coach immediately,” Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said yesterday.

“Clearly the issue of the management of all of our players will be a key consideration in the search for a new coach.

“We look forward to appointing a new coach who will take this club to the next level. Hopefully we will see much success in the future.

“We would hope we would have a new coach in place for the players’ return from annual leave in early November.”

Maroons coach Kevin Walters is among the contenders for the post.

Other candidates include South Sydney’s Michael Maguire and Canterbury’s besieged coach Des Hasler.

Hayne is on shaky ground at the Gold Coast. The Titans would release him on the right terms, but at the moment they are planning for him to be part of their squad in 2018.

“I’ve read the club has been shopping Jarryd around. That is absolutely untrue,” Annesley said. “Nothing has been done in relation to this matter until the board made its decision.

“Jarryd is a contracted player and is expected to perform his responsibilities. A new coach will expect nothing less.”

Henry’s assistants, Terry Matterson and Craig Hodges be interim coaches for the two remaining games.

Hayne is expected to return from an ankle injury against the Bulldogs at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.