Titans NRL board must hold firm: Bennett

Wayne Bennett has refused to take aim at embattled rivals Gold Coast, but warned any NRL club that starts buckling to player power will be in a “fair amount of trouble”.

The coach of almost 40 years said he felt for Neil Henry after another tumultuous week ahead of next week’s Gold Coast board meeting that will decide the fate of the besieged Titans mentor and NRL superstar Jarryd Hayne after a reported feud.

Adding to the drama, star Titans halves Ash Taylor and Kane Elgey said in a News Corp Australia report through their management this week that they would walk if Henry was retained at the club.

Playmaker Elgey and Titans hooker Nathan Peats have since dismissed the report, describing it as “bulls***”.

Bennett would not comment on the Titans controversy but when asked about players making ultimatums, Bennett said: “They can have their say but if the club starts listening to them they will be in a fair amount of trouble.”

Asked if he was concerned about a rise in player power, Bennett said: “Every time you give them a headline you give them more power”.

Australia coach Mal Meninga was more forthright when asked about the report on the Titans duo’s ultimatum.

“They just need a spoonful of Trevor Gillmeister really, a bit of toughness, toughen them up a bit. Be a bit more resilient and accountable around their personal actions and what they do at the club,” Meninga told Fox Sports’ Queenslanders Only.

“It’s okay to have an opinion but you’ve got to be able to actually back it up with actions.

“They’re not playing well at the moment, so for them to come out and start accusing the coach of not allowing them to play to their potential is a bit ridiculous.

“They need to be worrying about themselves, being accountable.

“(I’m angry) a little bit about the resilience of the modern player.”

The Titans board met for three hours on Monday to discuss the reported rift between Henry and Hayne but opted to defer a decision until next week.

News Corp Australia reported after the meeting they had already decided to sack Henry.

There is growing speculation Hayne may also be on the chopping block with his management claiming on Thursday that they would want his entire $1.2 million salary for 2018 paid out in full if moved on, ruling out a subsidised deal.

There are also reports a third party sponsor who pays a majority of Hayne’s lucrative Titans wage was considering pulling out over the controversy.

“It’s not for me to sit back here in Brisbane and judge,” Bennett said of the Titans drama.

But Bennett complimented Henry for the way he had handled himself throughout the ordeal.

“It goes with the territory, he’s a seasoned coach. He’s been around a long time and I think he is handling himself pretty well actually,” he said.

Hayne may have already played his final game for Gold Coast after being ruled out of Thursday night’s clash with Parramatta due to an ankle injury.

All the speculation swirling around the club prompted Titans boss Graham Annesley to send a message to the embattled club’s members on Wednesday night, denying the board had already made a decision on either Hayne or Henry.

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