OFF THE CHAIN

TITANS coach Justin Holbrook won’t shackle his rebuilding side with expectations, conceding setting a benchmark will only hinder the wooden spooners.

Holbrook will make his NRL coaching debut next Friday when the Titans travel to Canberra to play the runners-up from last year’s grand final.

The former St Helens mentor faces one of the biggest challenges of his coaching career in the coming months – to bring success to the Gold Coast following their NRL wooden spoon finish in 2019.

And he’s keeping a realistic expectation on how they should perform this year.

The 44-year-old spoke at yesterday’s NRL Season Launch and said he won’t put a label on where the club should finish in 2020.

“I’ve been avoiding that exact question,” Holbrook said. “For us as a group, every team has had a good pre-season and we’re no different.

“I don’t want to come out and make a statement right away.

“If I say eighth’s all right, and then we do better, the players then think eighth is all right.

“If I say we make top four, and we don’t, then everyone’s going to think what’s that bloke talking about.

“As a team and as a club, we want to be at our best every single week.”

Holbrook has a host of star players at his disposal on the Gold Coast, including the likes of Ash Taylor, AJ Brimson and Jai Arrow.

His efforts so far have shown potential, with the Titans going through to the NRL Nines finals last month and downing the Broncos in their final trial match last weekend.

He has also recruited strongly over the pre-season, securing the signature of former Warriors prop Sam Lisone, young playmaker Erin Clark and barnstorming outside back Greg Leleisiuao.

Holbrook said he was hoping to get the best out of his players for the upcoming season.

“I’m confident in the playing group,” he said.

“Every side has good players and we’ve got plenty of those. It’s my job to get the best out of them – I’m looking forward to it.”

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