Titans refuse to be rushed into Nathan Peats deal to save the Eels’ season

BRINGING Eels hooker Nathan Peats to the Gold Coast is a no-brainer for Chris McQueen, but Titans powerbrokers don’t feel the same way.

The Titans are playing hardball over Nathan Peats’ deal.

BRINGING Eels hooker Nathan Peats to the Gold Coast is a no-brainer for Chris McQueen, but Titans powerbrokers don’t feel the same way.

The Titans are playing hardball, refusing to be rushed into a deal to save Parramatta’s season.

Peats is being pushed out of Parramatta as part of a $570,000 cleanout the club must undergo to become salary cap compliant.

The 25-year-old is keen to continue his career on the Gold Coast, where his father Geordi lives, and must be released by Friday if the Eels want to play for competition points against the Rabbitohs.

Peats is seeking a deal until the end of 2018 which would see the Eels and Titans each pay a portion of this year’s salary.

McQueen and Peats played together at South Sydney and the Titans forward said the Gold Coast should secure him.

“He’d be an asset to any team,” McQueen said.

“We’ve still got money in the cap. If he’s interested in coming here and we’ve got that money then I wouldn’t see why we wouldn’t (sign him).

Chris McQueen says Nathan Peats would be an asset to the Titans. Pic Brett Costello

“He’s one of the most competitive blokes I’ve ever played with. He hates losing.

“Even at training if something doesn’t go right he’ll fire up.

“He’s definitely the sort of player you want in your team.

“You’ve got to have that competitive nature in your team and those guys that will do anything to win.”

Those calling the shots at the Titans aren’t as convinced as McQueen.

They are interested in signing Peats but won’t break the bank to do so.

The club hasn’t aggressively pursued the 89-game NRL regular despite the fact their four hookers — Nathan Friend, Daniel Mortimer, Kierran Moseley and Matt Srama — are off-contract this season.

“We’re not looking to do anything at this point in time unless the Titans contact me and put something to us that we should consider and is viable for Nathan,” said Peats’ manager Sam Ayoub.

Nathan Peats speaks to the media after being told to find a new club.

“Nathan doesn’t have to do a thing if he doesn’t want to. Parramatta might look to offload others that we don’t know of.

“I haven’t heard from the Titans and I don’t know if I will.

“You would think a club like them would be interested in Nathan. They would be incompetent if they didn’t pursue a player who could potentially be the NSW hooker this year and most likely in the future.

“We have interest from other clubs too so Nathan has options.”

Mortimer suffered another injury blow on Wednesday when he tweaked his troublesome hamstring at training while Anthony Don looks set to return to the side for Monday’s clash against the Roosters at Cbus Super Stadium.

Don could come on to the wing, shifting Nathan Davis to centre in place of Nene Macdonald.