It was only a taste but Justin Holbrook’s coaching style made an impression on Gold Coast NRL recruit Sam Stone.

Holbrook was in charge of the Junior Kangaroos in 2017 when Stone – then with Newcastle – was selected in the squad.

Stone played in the second row in a team that included Cameron Murray and Victor Radley as Australia thumped the Junior Kiwis 46-22 in Canberra.

That experience has Stone confident Holbrook has what it takes to reignite a Titans squad low on confidence after a miserable NRL season.

“His people management and stuff like that in that one week was really good,” Stone said.

“He brings the team closer which makes everyone want to play for each other a bit more.

“I was really impressed with the way he managed everyone that week.”

Holbrook coached the Junior Kangaroos from 2015 to 2017 and Stone – a mid-season recruit from the Knights – is just one of four Titans to have worked under the incoming coach.

Halfback Ashley Taylor and representative lock Jai Arrow were both part of Holbrook’s 2015 selection while Brian Kelly was a member of the 2016 squad.

Stone says despite last weekend’s 40-28 loss to St George Illawarra all but confirming the Titans as wooden-spooners, he and his teammates cannot throw in the towel over the four remaining matches this year.

“The harder you work now and the better you play now, it’s all stepping stones to a better year next year,” the 22-year-old said.