Gold Coast interim coach Jim Lenihan remains confident the club can retain star forwards Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita after they became free agents for next year.
Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita, both in camp with Queensland ahead of game three of the State of Origin series, had clauses in their contracts that enabled them to explore other options for 2024 after former coach Justin Holbrook was dismissed.
Holbrook was sacked on June 22, the same day Des Hasler was announced as Titans coach on a three-year deal from next season.Holbrook’s assistant Jim Lenihan has taken over for the rest of 2023.
“One thing I do know is that Dave and Tino are very happy blokes and very happy at training,” Lenihan said.
“If there is one thing I know about happy people it is that they love where they are at. They both love the Gold Coast and they certainly love the Titans.
“At this point in tie they are contracted to us. We are verey happy they are contracted to us and I don’t think they will go.”
Fa’asuamaleaui’s manager Simon Mammino told AAP last week that incoming head coach Hasler met with Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita on the Gold Coast recently. Both players have three months from Holbrook’s sacking to enact any decision to change clubs in 2024.
Hasler wants the duo on board next year but both are amongst the leading forwards in the game and have already received interest
Mammino’s phone has been running hot with enquiries from other clubs but he said he would let Fa’asuamaleaui get through Wednesday night’s Origin clash before discussing contract matters in depth.
Fa’asuamaleaui is contracted until the end of 2024 and has a two-year mutual option with the club, while Fifita is on the books until 2026
The Titans were without their four Queensland representatives, including fullback AJ Brimson, in the golden point 23-21 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.
Jayden Campbell played No.1 and ran for a club record 315 metres in a superb display of running rugby league.
“JC (Campbell) was amazing for us at the back of the field,” Lenihan said.
“There were a lot of great efforts from us and we are mindful of that but we ride and die together.
“At the end of the day we don’t put anything in our pocket for that effort but what we can take is a bit of confidence moving forward. We’ve got to learn to keep playing that tough way for longer.”
