Garth Brennan says the Titans can get the most out of incoming prop Shannon Boyd

TITANS coach Garth Brennan has defended the club’s $2.4 million signing of Canberra prop Shannon Boyd, insisting the 122kg giant will not be a bench warmer on the Gold Coast.

Austin likely to play Shannon Boyd of the Raiders runs with the ball during the Round 9 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Gold Coast Titans at GIO Stadium in Canberra, Saturday, May 5, 2018. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

TITANS coach Garth Brennan has defended the club’s $2.4 million signing of Canberra prop Shannon Boyd, insisting the 122kg giant will not be a bench warmer on the Gold Coast.

Boyd will beef-up Brennan’s engine room from 2019 on a four-year deal which will see him form a strong forward pack alongside Maroons prop Jarrod Wallace, captain Ryan James, emerging young gun Jai Arrow and Kiwi Test forward Kevin Proctor.

Boyd, 25, played four Tests for Australia during 2016 but did not make Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos squad for last year’s World Cup.

Boyd battled the bulge last season, ballooning to 130kg before losing his Kangaroos jersey, and has only averaged 35 minutes a game in 2018.

Boyd has been in good form for the Raiders but only plays limited minutes.

Former Queensland forward Billy Moore questioned the Gold Coast’s signing of Boyd, predicting his size could backfire if the NRL reduces interchanges.

But Brennan is adamant with the help of performance guru Hayden Knowles the Titans can transform Boyd into a destructive force capable of playing big minutes.

“I’m confident we will (get more out of him),” he said.

“We’ve got a great performance team in Hayden Knowles. He is very good at getting the best out of people and structuring their fitness systems to the person he is dealing with.

“Whether it be a winger or front rower he can adjust and personalise their training programs to get the best out of them.

BIG FELLA: The prop every NRL team wants

OUT: Haas’s season could be over

“I’m not saying Canberra don’t, but Hayden is the best in the business to get the best out of players.”

The Titans are languishing in 15th spot on a five-match losing streak heading into today’s clash against Newcastle at Cbus Super Stadium.

But in his first year as coach, Brennan is quickly going about assembling a squad he believes can be competitive in the NRL next season.

Panthers dynamo Tyrone Peachey will join the Titans next season along with Boyd while Wallace has been locked up until 2022.

The former Kangaroo has struggled for consistency.

With youngsters Max King, Moeaki Fotuaika, AJ Brimson, Keegan Hipgrave and Arrow showing promising signs, the future could be bright for the Titans.

“People want to come to this club,” Brennan said.

“There are others there contacting me or the club saying ‘I really want to come to the Gold Coast’. These are representative players.

“Everyone at the start of the year looked at our squad and roster and said ‘you’ve got a good 17 but if injuries strike, you’ve got a lot of young guys to rely on’.

“We’re getting some class into the roster. We’re not finished there. We still want to build our roster.

“It’s important you have depth to be able to compete with the top clubs.”

LIVE stream every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free two-week Foxtel Now trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW!

Originally published as Garth Brennan says the Titans can get the most out of incoming prop Shannon Boyd