PUZZLE PEATS
Titans lock in Blues hooker for another three years in a major ...
TOUGH rake Nathan Peats hopes he has done enough to survive the imminent round of NSW Origin culling after officially securing his NRL future on the Gold Coast.
The Titans will today announce a new three-year deal for Peats until the end of 2020, bringing months of negotiations to a happy resolution in what is an enormous boost for the club.
With other key players Jarryd Hayne, Ash Taylor and Kane Elgey out of contract after next year, Peats forms the first piece in the puzzle of Gold Coast’s long-term spine and joins forwards Ryan James and Kevin Proctor in tying himself to the club for at least the rest of this decade.
The 26-year-old, who last week celebrated the birth of his second son, is understood to have won a bolstered offer thanks to his newfound status as a State of Origin player.
Peats did his growing reputation no harm during his maiden state against state series, tirelessly accumulating 133 tackles across the three contests and providing excellent service out of dummyhalf.
Following the Blues seriesdeciding loss on Wednesday night, he told the Bulletin of his determination to get another crack at sending the Origin shield south of the border as uncertainty surrounds the make-up of NSW’s 2018 list.
“Yeah I believe so,” he said, when asked if he had done enough to retain the sky blue No.9 jersey.
“I would have liked to offer a bit more in attack (in Game 3) but it was hard with the kind of game that it was. I tried as hard as I could in all three games.
“Obviously it comes down to form in club footy and staying on the park but at least they know that I try my best and give 100 per cent every game and if that’s what they are after, then hopefully I can put my hand up to play again.
“If not, that’s footy. But it’s a long 12 months away now so I have just got to focus on trying to make the finals with the Titans and finishing the year off strong.”
While Maroons hooker Cameron Smith’s running game came to the fore on Wednesday night – racking up 79m – Peats did not once get an opportunity to dart out of half behind a tired and outplayed Blues pack.
“There are a few things that I could change during the three games but it’s all a learning curve and I’m grateful for the experience. Hopefully I get to do it again,” he said.
Peats confirmed he expects to back up for the Titans tomorrow night for their home showdown against defending premiers Cronulla from 7.30pm.