New Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan lays down the law to his new Titans squad

NEW Titans coach Garth Brennan has laid down the law to his new charges — and not even the race that stops a nation will get in the way.

Titans new boys Brenton Lawrence and Jai Arrow. Picture: Mike Batterham

NOT even the race that stops a nation will halt Garth Brennan’s plans to rebuild the Gold Coast Titans.

The Titans reported for the first day of pre-season training on Monday under their new coach following the debacle of 2017, which led to the sacking of Neil Henry.

Brennan welcomed new recruits Brenton Lawrence (Sea Eagles), Jai Arrow (Broncos), Brendan Elliot (Knights), Jai Whitbread (Broncos) and Jack Stockwell (Knights) while Penrith hooker Mitch Rein will arrive later this week.

Brennan laid down the law to the Titans of 2018 during a meeting and his new-look fitness department of Hayden Knowles, Craig Catterick and Scott Campbell will put them through their paces on Tuesday.

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Garth Brennan has got on the front foot with his new team. Picture: Jerad Williams

Brennan has scheduled a training session under the searing sun at 1pm, which means the Titans will likely miss out on watching the Melbourne Cup (2pm), a tradition among most NRL teams.

It is the type of sacrifice the Titans are hoping will see them improve on last season’s dismal 15th-placed finish.

“He was upfront,” Arrow said of Brennan’s meeting.

“He said what our goals are and where he wanted us to be. If we don’t give it our all we won’t be in the team.”

There was an elephant in the room as doubt continues to linger over the future of star fullback Jarryd Hayne, currently on World Cup duty with Fiji.

The Titans are aware of Hayne’s family issues, which could see him seek a release to return to Sydney.

If Hayne leaves the Gold Coast it will free up $1.2 million in the club’s salary cap for 2018, giving Brennan a war chest to play with.

At this stage Hayne remains committed to the Titans and Lawrence said there was no point worrying about his future.

“If he wants to go he can go, if he wants to stay he can stay,” Lawrence said. “It doesn’t matter what I think or what my opinion is. It’s his decision.”

Titans new boys Brenton Lawrence and Jai Arrow. Picture: Mike Batterham

Lawrence returns to the Titans after playing 18 NRL games for the club in 2011-12. His career blossomed during five seasons at Manly and the powerful prop insists he can produce his best form on the Gold Coast despite turning 33 next month.

“I don’t feel much different to when I was here last time as far as fitness goes,” he said. “Everything is about opportunity. We’ll see how the next four months unfolds.

“Nothing has changed for me as far as my aspirations as a footballer. I’m a senior player in the squad and have got a lot more experience now than the last time I was here.”

Arrow, a Gold Coast junior, said he was focused on securing the No. 13 jersey full-time next year after leaving the Broncos.