TITANS DEFEND DECISION TO SPEND BIG ON FIFITA

TITANS coach Justin Holbrook has defended the Gold Coast’s $3.5 million signing of Broncos star David Fifita as legend Mal Meninga declared he had more big-name recruits in his sights, ahead of Gold Coast’s clash with Penrith at Cbus Super Stadium today. Fifita has quit the Broncos to sign a record three-year deal with the Titans.

The deal will see the Queensland Origin star pocket a remarkable $1.25 million in 2021.

At age 20, Fifita will be one of the highest-paid players in the NRL next year — eclipsing the $1.2 million the Titans outlaid to famously bring Jarryd Hayne back from the NFL. Fifita’s Titans contract is frontended to entice him to the Gold Coast and drops to about $1.1 million-a-year for 2022-23.

League heavyweight Phil Gould labelled the Titans’ offer for Fifita “totally irresponsible”, and the club has been criticised for tabling such a big contract to just a 37-game edge backrower.

But Holbrook explained the reasons behind the offer, and said that he was comfortable with the Gold Coast’s salary cap and recruitment strategy.

“He is the best young forward in our game. I’m comfortable with our approach there,” he told News Corp.

Meanwhile, he’s long been considered among the NRL’s most underrated players, but Isaah Yeo’s time to shine in the representative arena may be coming.

The 25-year-old has been one of Penrith’s most dependable players in recent seasons, and he’s arguably in careerbest form this year for the competition leader. NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler revealed on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth that Yeo was on his selection radar for the end-of-year series, with the backrower and sometimes-centre’s versatility particularly appealing.

NSW legend Andrew Johns is also a big fan.