Titans chair: ‘Team doing it for Joseph’
The Gold Coast Titans will use the resilience shown by Joseph Pouniu as inspiration for the 2024 NRL season and provide the injured Gold Coast league player a job alongside coach Des Hasler.
Pouniu was due to begin his professional rugby league career by joining the Titans NRL squad in 2024 but a serious spinal injury suffered while playing for the club’s under-17 development team in January last year turned his life upside down. The 18-year-old Future Titans captain may still find his way into the NRL ranks in a different capacity.
“Des is already organising a job for Joseph when he is able to do that, perhaps as an analyst,” Titans chairman Dennis Watt said at the club’s season launch at The Star Gold Coast on Wednesday.
“I know Joseph is excited by the prospect of doing that.”
Watt said the playing group was motivated to perform for the man who should be standing next to them on the field: “Ours is a resilient club, like the game itself, now 110years-old in this rugby league heartland,” Watt said.
“We have a history. Yeah we get knocked down but we get back up again. In season 2024 for Joseph striving to get back on his feet, for our growing legion for our Titans family. We are moving forward.”
Watt also revealed nearly $1.2 million had now been raised for Pouniu and his family who are not currently Australia citizens and do not get NDIS support.
They have been able to use the funds to move into a new home and Pouniu will begin daily rehabilitation next month on the Gold Coast.
“Joseph Pouniu was a young guy destined to start his career in the top 30 here this year,” Watt said.
“The owners here were extraordinarily generous and quick to act, honouring his three-year ($450,000) contract upfront and I think between the GoFundMe and the Australian Sports Foundation there is almost $1.2m raised now to help get Joseph back on his feet.
“The QRL, NSWRL, Peter V’landys himself put $10,000 of his own money directly into mum’s account.
“All 17 clubs, both states and the entirety of the game came together to give this young man a fighting chance in life. When this game stands together … we are unbeatable.”