Gold Coast co-mentor Craig Hodges says Jarryd Hayne is used to “crazy stuff” and backed him to inspire the Titans in Saturday’s NRL clash with Canterbury.
Hodges will take over the Titans reins with Terry Matterson for the first time after coach Neil Henry was sacked on Monday after a reported feud with fullback Hayne.
“He’s as experienced as anyone with dealing with crazy stuff so I don’t doubt his frame of mind at all at the moment,” Hodges said.
Hayne will return from an ankle complaint that forced him to miss last round’s 30-8 loss to Parramatta – their fifth straight loss and what turned out to be Henry’s last game at the helm.
Titans board members will meet on Friday to begin the process of finding Henry’s replacement.
Queensland State of Origin coach Kevin Walters has distanced himself from the job while Geoff Toovey, Craig Fitzgibbon, Maroons assistant Anthony Seibold and Queensland Cup side Ipswich’s dual mentors Shane and Ben Walker are believed to be in the mix.
Hodges hoped to one day be considered for a head coach job but said their focus was putting in a strong display against the Bulldogs to show “we are back”.
“We haven’t got that far (considering future coaches),” he said.
“With everything that has gone on this week, changes that are happening, our focus is just the next training session, then get into the Bulldogs.
“It’s an attractive job, there are only 15 of them in Australia.
“Eventually, yeah, I would love to be (head coach) but our priority is a strong performance from the playing group which sends a message to everyone that we are back.”
Hodges was keen to see how the Titans responded after the “black cloud” had lifted over the embattled club following Henry’s sacking.
“We are a young and relatively inexperienced playing group, they haven’t been through it before,” he said.
“But playing groups at most clubs are fairly resilient.
“Once the black cloud went away everyone just got back on the job.
“I think it is good that they get out there and do what they do – they can’t wait to get out on the field.”
