HE’S THE ONE

HAYNE TO MOVE BACK FOR TITANS HALVES PAIRING

THE Titans are preparing to push Jarryd Hayne back to his preferred position at fullback to capitalise on the combination of halves Ashley Taylor and Tyrone Roberts leading into the NRL finals.

Gold Coast are ready to inject Roberts into the halves alongside Hayne today in a bid to rest boom rookie Taylor’s problem hips ahead of postseason surgery.

But the move will only be temporary, with coach Neil Henry to unleash Hayne at fullback in the crucial final rounds of the season as the Titans push for a playoff spot for the first time in six years.

“I suppose if Ash (Taylor) and (Roberts) are fully fit that opens up a window for Jarryd (Hayne) to go back to fullback or we do a shuffle around our outside backs,’’ Henry said.

“That could happen in the next couple of weeks as well.’’

Henry did not confirm Taylor’s move, saying only he was “very close’’ to returning from a knee injury.

The move is a gamble, given Hayne and Roberts have not played together and the match is one the Titans must win if they are to make the finals.

While the Titans would seal a finals place with two wins from their final three games, they could scrape into the eight with a single victory if other results fall their way.

But giving Roberts game time would allow Taylor to gain vital rest ahead of the last two rounds and a possible finals campaign.

Taylor’s hip and groin concerns will not disappear with rest but with the rookie revealing to the Bulletin this week he is having daily physiotherapy and occasional painkilling injections to manage concerns, resting him could prove a masterstroke.

“What he’s got around his hips and his groin, the medical staff are saying that’s not going to go away,’’ Henry said of Taylor’s issues.

“And even having a week off, that problem is a surgical problem that will happen in the off-season – it’s about managing that.

“It’s not any worse or any better, it’s just how it is until the end of the year.’’

The ability to inject Hayne into the game from fullback is an enticing option for Henry and Titans fans.

“It’s a good position to be in,’’ Henry said of his sudden backline depth.

“It adds a bit of depth to our wingers as well if Meady (David Mead) was to move.’’

Mead has been outstanding in his time at fullback this season and would be retained in the 17, with winger Anthony Don – who was dropped earlier in the year – likely to be the one who is in danger given Mead’s superior defensive skills.

Hayne is likely to snare the No.1 jersey on a fulltime basis next season, leaving question marks over the future of Mead and William Zillman, the Titans’ regular custodians.

Mead is off contract next season and has had interest from several NRL clubs but wants to stay at the Titans, although he also harbours a desire to play at fullback, something that is unlikely following Hayne’s arrival.

Zillman, who will play in the Queensland Cup this weekend as he continues his return from a foot injury, is on contract until the end of 2017 but has been informed he won’t be retained after that and will battle to make a regular return at fullback.