LOZ TO LIKE

Origin star says Daley a good fit for Titans coaching job

NATHAN Peats says a coach the calibre of Laurie Daley or Kevin Walters would be the perfect tonic for the Titans.

Gold Coast are searching for a coach after axing Neil Henry last week and while several inexperienced mentors have expressed interest, the ideal candidate is someone with standing in the game strong enough to deal with a polarising personality like Jarryd Hayne.

Daley has not been touted as a replacement but Peats said a mentor with his standing would be a perfect fit for the Titans job.

“Someone of their calibre, Kevvie or Loz, would be great for the club,” Peats said.

“But time will tell who they pick. It’s a process they’ve got to follow now but the sooner the better, so we know the plan for the pre-season and we know who the coach is.”

Daley was axed as NSW Origin coach on Friday and Peats, who made his debut for the Blues earlier this year, said he was disappointed for him.

“He handed me my first rep jersey in the Indigenous (All Stars) side and then handed me my Origin jersey,” said Peats’ whose outside chances of a Kangaroos call-up were snuffed out on Saturday when he dislocated his shoulder in the Titans’ loss to the Bulldogs.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Loz and I’m really grateful for the opportunities he’s given me and I’m very disappointed to see him go.

“We won that first (Origin) game and the second game had them 16-6 and I just wished that we’d finished off a bit better because he deserved that, so I really do feel for him.”

Peats was confident the Titans would unite behind any new mentor coming in.

“We have no choice. If a new coach comes in you’ve got to get on board and train hard and earn his respect,” he said.

“Whoever comes in I’m sure they’ll be able to do a good job.”