Cooper Cronk has challenged returning Gold Coast playmaker Ashley Taylor to send a message through his actions as he continues his comeback in the struggling NRL side.

Sydney Roosters star Cronk was Taylor’s opposite number in his return from personal leave on Sunday, when the Roosters embarrassed the bottom-placed Titans 58-6.

Taylor struggled to have an impact and made several fundamental mistakes in the loss, but the former Australia and Queensland halfback said it was what he saw after those errors that was most telling.

“For him to get better, I would’ve liked to have seen, for example, when he kicked the ball and didn’t find touch, he needs to get down there and make three or four tackles,” Cooper told Fox League.

“Show that you want to make up for it, that these errors aren’t okay.

“It’s just your response to errors you’d like to see Ash Taylor improve in.”

The 24-year-old signed a big-money deal ahead of the 2018 season but things haven’t gone to plan since, with coach Garth Brennan sacked mid-season and the squad stooping to new on-field lows since.

Justin Holbrook will arrive in November from high-flying English Super League club St Helens on a two-year deal to replace Brennan.

Cronk said the new mentor would need plenty more from the playing group to have success.

“From my experience the playing group is an extension of the coaching staff,” he said.