Titans

With Jai Arrow named to play for the Maroons in Origin I, Jai Whitbread is likely to start at lock for the Titans on Sunday where he will go up against Cowboys colossus Jason Taumalolo.

The 21-year-old was called into the run-on side late last week when Arrow went down with a quadriceps injury during the captain's run and ran for 102 metres in 35 minutes.

More importantly, he limited the impact of Manly giant Martin Taupau.

The NRL centre was part of the side’s courageous semi-final run at the Rugby League World Cup and, on returning this week to Titans training, said he had already drawn some comparisons between the sides.

The addition of Michael Gordon and Brenko Lee to the Titans’ backline has offset the departure of high-profile fullback Jarryd Hayne, as new coach Garth Brennan instils a workmanlike culture at the club.

The 26-year-old forward was signed as a teenager and identified early in the club's history as a player to build a bright future around, and James now believes the time for that hope to be realised has arrived.

He has seen the tough times at the club, but now insists they are about to end.

"When I started at the Titans it was the glory days. I debuted in first grade in 2010 when we were one game off making the grand finale," James told NRL.com.

A tumultuous off-season stretched as far as club ownership, with Rebecca Frizelle and Darryl Kelly’s successful bid given the green light last week.

The Titans also installed a new coach in Garth Brennan. Luke Burt joined as his assistant, and Hayden Knowles, Craig Catterick and Scott Campbell were added to the physical performance team.

The club also parted ways with marquee man Jarryd Hayne, who has returned to the Parramatta Eels.

It is believed the Titans will sign the 34-year-old custodian to a two-year deal if the Roosters allow him to walk away from his contract for next season.

Gordon was set to be moved from his favoured fullback position to the wing next season due to the arrival of NSW star James Tedesco at the Roosters.

Gold Cost are in the market for a fullback following Jarryd Hayne's well-documented switch last Friday to his former club, the Parramatta Eels.

Annesley said he met Hayne early on Thursday where he expressed his desire to return to Western Sydney to be near his wider family and friends.

The Titans granted a release, which is effective immediately, and Hayne is expected to return to his former club Parramatta Eels although no deal has been done.

Annesley said he did not feel let down by Hayne’s decision despite not serving his full two-year contract.

“I am firmly of the view that you can have contracts and sign all sorts of things but you really need to have people’s hearts and minds involved,” he said.

Latu has been granted a release from the final three years of his contract with the Panthers to link up with Garth Brennan and the Titans. 

The Indigenous All Stars representative was a member of Brennan's successful 2014 Intrust Super Premiership NSW team when both men were at the Panthers. 

"Leilani is a player with a great attitude and is a great clubman," Brennan said. 

"He's had three strong years in the NRL and after discussing the prospect of him coming to the club, I know he's extremely excited about the opportunity. 

James captained the side stoically throughout a difficult 2017 and is highly regarded for the leadership he provides on and off the field.

Hooker Nathan Peats is also in the mix – he has recommitted to the Titans until the end of the 2020 season and has the respect of everyone at the club.

Brennan will watch prospective candidates during pre-season training before making a decision.

While not guaranteeing anything, he indicated James was in pole position."Ryan is a natural leader, a Gold Coast kid who was born and bred here," Brennan said.

Back from a hamstring injury, the returning Titans quarterback completed all six of his passes in the fourth quarter to lead Tennessee over the Colts at Nissan Stadium.

The Colts got a game effort from Jacoby Brissett, in what might be his final start before Andrew Luck returns. Brissett was 21 of 37 for 212 yards and a touchdown.

After Mariota led a scoring drive that ended in a 48-yard Ryan Succop field goal, Brissett had the Colts in position for a touchdown on Indianapolis' opening series.

Sami's form since making his debut in Round 19 has convinced Titans officials that he has a bright future in the NRL and his contract has been upgraded to be included in the club's top 30 for the 2018 season.

It is reward for a physically gifted athlete who has had to come to terms with the work ethic required to even play in the under-20s and he delivered an eye-catching display in his first start in the centres against Canterbury last weekend.