Help is on its way for NRL battlers Gold Coast, according to incoming coach Justin Holbrook.
But Titans co-captain Kevin Proctor says they won’t be waiting for Holbrook’s 2020 arrival to spark a turnaround, promising members they will show their true character this year in a brutally honest open letter.
Holbrook is unfazed by the task ahead at Gold Coast despite the Titans being humiliated 58-6 by Sydney Roosters last round, just days after confirmation he would take over as head coach for the 2020-21 seasons.
Holbrook admitted the Titans’ last round capitulation was “hard to watch” but was confident all the ingredients were in place for a Titans revival in 2020 after speaking with head of culture and performance Mal Meninga.
“We all know they are not doing well, and haven’t gone well for a couple of years but for myself, once I had spoken to Mal, everything is in place up there now,” he told NRL.com.
“I think the owners have got the front office right now. They have a big junior nursery, they have some good schools up there, some good feeder clubs, so everything is right.
“The main thing now is getting the first grade team firing … (then) anything can happen.”
Meninga has told players they have the remaining five weeks of the competition to show “they care” before deciding whether to put the broom through their roster.
Not that Proctor had to be told, penning a letter to Titans members on Tuesday apologising for their display against the Roosters and vowing to show their true colours in the remaining rounds.
“I would like to start by apologising to you, our members, for the performance of the team on Sunday – it was unacceptable,” Proctor wrote.
“As a playing group, we were humiliated, embarrassed and appalled at the result and the way that we played as a team.
“We have five weeks left in this season to redeem ourselves, and repay the faith and patience of our members and fans by showing the true character of this team and the pride of the individual players that are in it.
“We will not give up. We hope that you will not give up on us.”
Meanwhile, Holbrook admitted he was an unknown quantity in the NRL but promised to prove himself just like he did at current team St Helens which sits on top of the UK Super League ladder.
“If I was to say anything to the Gold Coast fans, it would be – be confident that I am the right person,” he said.