Better without Hayne: GCRL boss

GOLD Coast Rugby League head honcho Scott Dunshea believes the Titans are better off without Jarryd Hayne and declared it imperative for the region’s 13-a-side code that their local NRL team thrives.

Dunshea, who manages the Coast competition including A-grade, hopes the Titans can now take a step forward after Hayne’s tumultuous tenure officially came to a close.

The former Eels star was hailed wide and far as a savour for professional rugby league on the Gold Coast when he signed in August last year.

But that sentiment quickly reversed, with the NSW State of Origin representative’s poor performances and attitude drawing the ire of fans throughout 2017. “Maybe the Titans are better off without him,” Dunshea said.

“If you put your coach’s hat on, it’s hard if a player doesn’t want to be there.

“It makes it very hard to collectively have the group going in the same direction so if that’s the way he feels it is probably better off for the Titans that he is not going to be part of the club in the future.”

Dunshea said the city’s amateur league benefits when its NRL side is succeeding.

“It is a great thing to have an NRL club on your doorstep,” Dunshea said.

“It’s very important (for us that they do well).

“Rugby League Gold Coast as well as the Northern Rivers, it’s a great catchment area for grassroots footy for the Titans.”