Gold Coast bosses have praised Mal Meninga for offering support and advice to the Titans’ struggling playing group.
The Titans have lost all three matches since Garth Brennan’s sacking early last month including a 58-6 belting last Sunday at the SCG by the Sydney Roosters.
Interim coach Craig Hodges admits his team’s confidence is at an all-time low but Titans executive chairman Dennis Watt says rugby league immortal Meninga is doing plenty to spark the playing group.
“He’s certainly addressed the players as a group on a number of occasions and also had several one-on-ones in terms of helping improve and develop those players as well,” Watt told AAP.
When Brennan was sacked, Watt said club head of performance and culture Meninga would mentor interim coaching duo Hodges and Luke Burt.
Watt says while the Kangaroos coach takes a back seat on game day, he’s been an active member of pre-game preparations along with Hodges and Burt.
“Day-to-day he’s certainly been involved in the preparation of the side. The coaching is left to Craig and Luke on game day but he has been very heavily involved,” Watt said.
“He’s certainly got a lot to offer in terms of being supportive of Craig and Luke and the coaching team.”
Meninga will remain in his role after new coach Justin Holbrook’s arrival in November, with a focus on the recruitment and retention of the playing squad.
“He’ll continue to head up the football department and he’ll be there as a sounding board for Justin but again one of his most important roles is around that recruitment and retention as to the list that Justin will actually have to work with when he arrives.”