Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler has expressed confidence in his relationship with $1 million forward David Fifita, despite recently dropping him from the NRL team due to subpar performances. Hasler firmly stated that Fifita remains an integral part of the club’s future plans and denied any claims of discord between them. This follows a turbulent period for the Titans, marked by difficulties on the field.
Fifita, now 25, is set to undergo surgery for a persistent ankle issue, which will sideline him for approximately a month. Speculation regarding a rift between him and Hasler surfaced after a vague statement from Fifita about his removal from the first-grade team. In response, Hasler assured the media that there are no tensions, emphasising, “Our relationship is fine… everything is good.”
Hasler highlighted that the timing of Fifita’s surgery might be beneficial, creating clarity in their path forward. He reiterated that Fifita is crucial to their strategy for the future. Reports have suggested that Fifita’s management may have been exploring other clubs, though it remains unclear if this was initiated by the club or his representatives. Additionally, news outlets stated that Hasler has clauses in his contract allowing him to depart at any moment, yet the coach insisted he is not seeking to leave.
“I enjoy coaching, and as long as I do, I’ll keep at it,” Hasler affirmed. He acknowledged the pressures of coaching, especially during challenging times, and called on fans to remain supportive of the team. With a season record of two wins out of eight matches and the Titans failing to reach the NRL finals since 2021, Hasler urged perseverance among supporters.
“We haven’t used injuries as an excuse, and we don’t intend to,” he stated. “We’re competing well in parts of matches, but we need to deliver a full 80 minutes.” The Titans aim to improve and are getting key players back from injury, with Hasler imploring fans to be patient. The team prepares to face Newcastle on Friday night, hoping to turn around their fortunes.