TITANS CHASE THE BIG CATS
Superstar Jarryd Hayne and the Gold Coast Titans have to tame the Tigers to keep their NRL finals hopes alive
TITANS coach Neil Henry says Jarryd Hayne could provide the boost the Gold Coast need to power to their first finals series in six years.
The Coast face a mustwin match against the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown today as both teams fight for a top eight spot.
The Titans need three wins from their final four games and Henry hopes the injection of Hayne at five-eighth can help reinvigorate his troops.
“I think the added bonus of Jarryd turning up is a boost,” Henry said.
“We’re not lumping everything on his shoulders but as we saw on the weekend, he had some nice touches and he can certainly play; he’s a bit of an X-factor there.
“He’s fresh. Even though he’s underdone, he hasn’t played much footy, so he’s excited to be back in the game and I think we need to feed off that, the fact that he can do something special and work hard around him.”
The Titans sit one point behind Penrith, New Zealand and Wests Tigers on the ladder and need to win today to remain in the finals hunt.
“Finals football’s come early really for a few teams – for Tigers, for us, for Penrith, Warriors – we’re all in the same boat really so it’s a big game at Campbelltown,” Henry said.
“I think it is (a must win). Really, it just gets harder and harder (if we lose).
“We need to win the next couple of games.”
Nathan Friend has recovered from a hamstring injury and will play in place of utility Cameron Cullen, pointing to a near 80-minute effort from Hayne in the halves.
“If we have to get Jarryd off with 15 (minutes) to go, we can do that, we have that flexibility,” Henry said. groin surgery at the end of the year but Henry said the 21-year-old would be able to get through the remainder of the season without issue.
“He’s sore after games but it settles down pretty quickly,” Henry said.
“The pleasing thing about this week is he’s done two ballwork sessions and for the last couple of weeks he’s just turned up for the captain’s run.
“There’s no doubt he’s playing under a bit of duress but he’s a lot better than he was.”
Friend said Hayne had settled in with his Titans teammates and would be better for last week’s run.
“He’s still going to be a bit rusty with the combinations but you’ll probably see him a little bit more relaxed.”