Warriors coach Andrew McFadden is rummaging through the archives for tapes of Jarryd Hayne in preparation for Sunday’s NRL clash with the Titans.
Hayne is expected to debut for the Gold Coast against the eighth-placed Warriors in front of a bumper Robina Stadium crowd after spurning previous club Parramatta to sign a two-year deal with the Titans on Wednesday worth $1.2 million a season.
McFadden told reporters on Thursday his side would be well prepared for the challenge posed by The Hayne Plane.
“It doesn’t affect our game plan, we’ll need to do a little bit of homework on him but first and foremost we’ll be worrying about our own preparation,” McFadden said.
“It puts a bit more expectation on the game and excitement.”
Both sides go into the must-win match on the back of golden point performances.
The Warriors produced a moment of 89th-minute magic through Shaun Johnson to topple the Panthers 20-16, while Gold Coast ground out an 18-18 draw with the table-topping Sharks.
McFadden was impressed by what he saw from the seventh-placed Titans.
“They had a terrific game against Cronulla the other night,” he said.
“You throw someone like Jarryd Hayne in their side and he’s only going to be good.
“All this excitement around Hayne will give them energy.”
Former Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell is also likely to line up against his former side on after signing with the Titans in May.
The 24-year-old left the club after making only three NRL appearances in 2016 and breaching team protocol on a post-match night out in Auckland.
McFadden remains comfortable with his decision punt Hurrell, given incumbent centre Solomone Kata’s strong form.
But his side would be on red alert for Hurrell’s attacking potency.
“He’s been playing well and I’m sure he’s got a point to prove,” McFadden said.
Ex-skipper Simon Mannering says the game will be won or lost in the front row regardless of the hype surrounding Hayne.
Titans props Luke Douglas and Ryan James weigh in at a combined 222kg and would need to be nullified for the Warriors to get the upper hand.
“For your halves and outside backs to play, you’ve got to lay a platform in the middle,” Mannering said.
“We’re pretty similar styles so hopefully that makes for a really good game.”
