Hasler happy to retain big Mal
Titans keep Roos coach
Des Hasler has retained Immortal Mal Meninga at the Gold Coast Titans following the dramatic sacking of former coach Justin Holbrook.
A high-performance consultant at Gold Coast, Meninga’s future at the Titans looked shaky after he was frozen out of secret moves last year to sack Holbrook and appoint Hasler.
Meninga then claimed he felt “ostracised” by the highpowered decision that happened without his knowledge.
Meninga (pictured) was a fan of Holbrook and played a key role in signing the Super League premiership winner to replace Garth Brennan in late 2019. With his Titans contract expiring last November, Meninga’s future with Gold Coast was up in the air.
It is unclear if Hasler and Meninga will work closely together like Holbrook did, however the Kangaroos coach will continue to mentor Titans players this year.
It isn’t the only win for the Titans who took some time out from a gruelling pre-season to bring joy to a region devastated by the Christmas Day tornado. Halfback Tanah Boyd was among a group of Titans players and staff that made an appearance at Tamborine Mountain School last week. And the club received some lovely feedback following the appearance.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for you and your team’s visit to our school last Friday,” Jodie Wooden wrote.
“It has become the topic of conversation in our community today.
“Your presence meant the world to us, and I must emphasise that the children now have two new favourites (or rather, five, as they are simply adorable).
“Your visit came at just the right time and had a profound impact on our community. In fact, I was moved to tears witnessing a couple of students who simply couldn’t believe that you all cared so deeply about them.
“Your kindness and compassion are truly commendable. Once again, thank you for your outstanding work.”
The Dragons have made a secret bid for Jason Taumalolo as the Cowboys superstar comes to terms with his axing as North Queensland co-captain.
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has made inquiries with Taumalolo’s management in a bold bid to deliver the former Dally M winner to the Dragons’ den this season.
But the Taumalolo camp made it clear the Cowboys champion is happy in Townsville and has no intention of walking out on his $10m contract.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten dropped a bombshell a fortnight ago when he removed Taumalolo and Chad Townsend as co-captains, handing the leadership reins to Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter.
It is understood Taumalolo was shocked by the decision, especially given his status at the club after signing a record 10-year, $1m deal with the Cowboys in 2017.
The Payten leadership decision can only fuel suggestions the Cowboys coach and Taumalolo have a strained relationship, but the pair both insist there is no bad blood in the tropics.
Once the most feared running forward in the game, the Tongan Test star has battled injury in recent seasons, but remains a force when fully fit.
Taumalolo was relegated to the bench for six games last season, raising fears he was on the outer in Townsville.
But the 252-game Cowboys legend remains contracted until the end of 2027 and North Queensland chiefs have every intention of honouring the deal, as does Taumalolo, who wants to finish his career at the club.
The Cowboys are under siege from southern rivals the Dragons, who are also targeting Taumalolo’s younger teammates, boom back-rowers Heilum Luki and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Finefeuiaki is off-contract this season, while Queensland Origin hopeful Luki is contracted until the end of 2025, but has an option in his favour – making him a free agent this year.
Cowboys football boss Micheal Luck was aware of interest in Taumalolo, Luki and Finefeuiaki, but remained confident of retaining the trio.
“We have a high opinion of our young back-rowers, Heilum Luki and Kulikefu,” Luck said. “Those two have commanded a bit of interest.
“We think our offers to both of them are very competitive and this club was set up to keep our local juniors in this North Queensland region. We’re confident of keeping both guys.”