Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler says he is only one piece of the puzzle that could help make the club a success.
Key points:
Des Hasler has spoken publicly for the first time since joining the Gold Coast TitansThe club hopes the former Manly coach can take them past the preliminary finalsHasler says he is only part of any potential solution
Hasler has spoken for the first time following the mid-season sacking of Justin Holbrook in July.
“I’m not the man that can make this club successful — I’m part of the plan,” Hasler said.
“That’s what it is, being part of a system that needs to generate success.”
He said he would combat the club’s history of losing matches by squandering leads.
“I’ll be pretty brutal about it; the NRL is about consistency of performance,” he said.
Hasler says there is plenty of potential in the Titans roster and is looking forward to pre-season training.
“It’s always an exciting time because you’ve done nothing wrong,” he said.
Hasler was sacked by Manly in October last year after the team failed to make the finals.
It was a controversial season for the Sea Eagles, one that saw seven players boycott a match over the team’s decision to launch a gay pride jersey featuring rainbow stripes.
Hasler apologised for the club’s handling the use of the colours in the jersey, saying the execution of the initiative was “poor”.
He is currently involved in a legal dispute with the club linked to his sacking, which he was asked about on Friday.
“That’s a really easy one to answer: no comment,” he said.
Hasler coached Manly to two premiership victories in 2008 and 2011.
The Titans are banking on Hasler leading the team past the preliminary finals stage, something no Gold Coast-based men’s national rugby league team has been able to do.
The Gold Coast Titans Women were grand finalists this year, losing to the Newcastle Knights in just their second full season in the NRLW competition.
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