Search

show me:

Holbrook backs Foran to lift Titans in NRL

3 minute read

Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook hopes Kieran Foran's arrival at the Titans in 2023 will have the same impact as Adam Reynolds has had for Brisbane in the NRL.

Coach JUSTIN HOLBROOK.
Coach JUSTIN HOLBROOK. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

As his struggling NRL team prepares to face a resurgent Brisbane, Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook hopes Kieran Foran can deliver the same impact for the Titans as Adam Reynolds has for the Broncos.

The lowly Titans face Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday hoping to snap the opposition's four-game winning run which has lifted the Broncos to fifth on the ladder.

Reynolds' impact since arriving at Red Hill has been hailed as a key factor in the Broncos' much-improved form this season, even though the captain missed last week's win over Newcastle and will again be sidelined for Friday's game due to a hamstring injury.

The 31-year-old's impact on the Broncos, as well as North Queensland recruit Chad Townsend's performances in Townsville, are being viewed as the template behind the Titans' capture of Foran from next season on a two-year deal.

"Definitely. We've seen that with Chad Townsend at the Cowboys, Adam Reynolds at the Broncos. They're genuine guys that have played 200-and-something NRL games and delivered," Holbrook said.

"It's invaluable to the players and as coaches, we need players like that on the field.

"They don't just have an impact on themselves, they have an impact on everyone around them.

"That's what I sort of love about the way he (Foran) plays."

Foran's looming arrival has put a question mark over just what Holbrook plans to do with his team next season.

The Titans backed a youthful spine heading into 2022 with Jayden Campbell at fullback and AJ Brimson shifting to five-eighth to play alongside Toby Sexton in the halves.

Injuries have meant that combination has been given limited opportunity so far this season as the Titans have staggered to a 3-8 record to sit 13th on the ladder.

Just what the arrival of New Zealand international Foran means for that set-up is yet to be determined by Holbrook, raising questions over whether Sexton, Brimson and Campbell are now playing for two spots in next year's starting line-up.

"He's playing his 250th NRL game this week, he's captained his country and won a grand final," Holbrook said of Foran.

"Played in some massive games.

"That's where we want to bring in that extra experience.

"As for next year, who fits in where? I'm not sort of worrying about that now.

"I'm worrying about this year and concentrating on who we've got there now, which is Jayden, AJ and Toby.

"We're just going to keep developing them as the year goes on."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au