Haas to make his debut
THE Gold Coast Titans are about to unleash the younger brother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas.
Damaging forward Klese Haas will make his NRL debut when he pulls on a Gold Coast jersey for the first time in Sunday’s last home game of the season against Newcastle.
With no chance of making the finals and little but pride at stake, Titans coach Justin Holbrook has decided to hand Haas his NRL debut on home soil at Cbus Super Stadium.
Haas, 20, has played six Hostplus Cup games for Tweed Heads this season and punched out 80 minutes in five of those.
While NSW Origin star Payne plays big minutes in the front row and is renowned for his tireless efforts in the middle, Klese is an edge backrower and more of an attacking threat.
He showcased his strong carries when playing in an NRL pre-season trial for the Titans against the Broncos and has been developing his game this season in the lower grades.
Haas will come into the Titans’ 17 at the expense of Dolphins-bound veteran Jarrod Wallace, who has been dropped to the reserves for what would have been his final home game for the Gold Coast.
Despite lacking dummyhalf options, Holbrook has resisted the urge to shift halfback Tanah Boyd to hooker and he will stay in the No. 7 jersey.
That leaves rookie halfback Toby Sexton once again out of the team after he made his first appearance for Tweed last weekend.
He scored a try in the second minute against Townsville.
Centre Patrick Herbert has been ruled out after suffering a knee injury and concussion against the Dragons, while Phil Sami will be named but must pass concussion protocols to play.
The Titans were disappointing in a 46-26 loss to the Dragons, which was their 11th loss in as many games on the road.
All four of their wins this season have come at home and they will be looking to end a poor season on a high against the lowly Knights.