Titans’ plan shaping up
NEW Titans coach Garth Brennan says his rebooted high performance crew will take luck out of the equation and ensure there’s no repeat of the fitness setbacks from last pre-season.
Gold Coast’s pre-season kicks off on Monday.
This time last year a number of Titans, including star recruit Jarryd Hayne (pictured) reported for duty overweight.
Hayden Knowles, who has previously worked at the Eels and Roosters as well as personally conditioning Hayne during his NFL stint, has joined as head of physical performance.
With Knowles – currently on a fact-finding mission with European soccer giants Juventus – comes his assistant Scott Campbell (Knights, Dragons and Bulldogs) as well as Kangaroos trainer Craig Catterick as head of health and medicine. It’s an all-star safety net Brennan insists will ensure his first pre-season delivers Round 1 results.
“It’s going to be fairly tough,” he said of pre-season.
“We had a horrible run with injuries last year and a lot of that comes down to luck – but we’re going to take any luck out of it.
“Some things you can’t prevent; you have to just prepare the best way you can with the best people involved.
“Hayden is world-class and that’s why we brought him on board; I think he’s cutting edge in that area.
“It’s good to have quality people in those positions.”
Brennan this week had his meetings with senior Titans players Nathan Peats, Ryan James and Kevin Proctor, but has left Hayne alone during his World Cup campaign with Fiji.
“Jarryd’s a professional and he’s off doing his thing for Fiji and I don’t want to bother him,” Brennan said.
“But like any player he will go through his physical testing (when he returns to pre-season training). I’m sure Hayden will put things in place for whoever comes back a little bit chubby after an off-season.”
Hayne will again line up at five-eighth for Fiji this weekend, though Brennan is openminded about where to best use the star fullback.
“The biggest thing for me is I want the ball in Jarryd’s hands,” he said.
“Jarryd and I will discuss what’s best for the team.
“Whether it’s six, whether it’s one or elsewhere, I just want the ball in Jarryd’s hands.”