Simplicity the secret for Titans’ new playmaker Ryley Jacks

After 10 weeks toiling with Tweed Heads in the Intrust Super Cup, new Titans playmaker Ryley Jacks is ready to cement the role he arrived on the Gold Coast to make his own.

Ryley Jacks is out to cement a permanent starting role at the Titans. Picture: Jono Searle

• ‘HE’S A FREAK: Peats’ praise for gun teammate

• ROOKIE: Brisbane send out halves SOS

Ryley Jacks’ “keep it simple” approach to Gold Coast’s upset win over Brisbane couldn’t be further from the complex situation which put him on the paddock.

The former Storm halfback was informed of his starting berth by Titans coach Garth Brennan just three days before becoming the latest victim of a Payne Haas-Tevita Pangai-Matt Lodge sandwich.

But Jacks’ 37-tackle effort proves his readiness to step up and now the Canadian international has the playmaker’s role he moved north for.

Ryley Jacks is out to cement a permanent starting role at the Titans. Picture: Jono Searle

MORE NRL NEWS

CRADDOCK: ANTI-SOCIAL MEDIA HITTING ATHLETES HARD

MONDAY BUNKER: GIANT KILLERS BLOW TITLE RACE WIDE OPEN

“That was the reason for leaving Melbourne, to get more of that opportunity playing NRL, so I just wanted to get here and do what I do,” Jacks said.

“I play a real simple game and just get out there and get the boys going forward.”

Though Jacks’ elevation may not have happened without Ash Taylor’s decision to take personal leave, the 27-year-old is ready to seize the moment.

Two solid outings against Cronulla and South Sydney weren’t enough to keep his matchday berth earlier in the year and 10 weeks toiling with Tweed Heads in the Intrust Super Cup was more than enough motivation for Jacks on Sunday.

Jacks impressed in the win over the Broncos. Picture: Jono Searle

With Taylor sidelined indefinitely, Jacks knows his next few games present a defining period which can shape both the Titans’ season and his future at the club

“I don’t know what’s going on there and I don’t know too much,” Jacks said of Taylor’s decision to take leave.

“Hopefully Ash is all good but I don’t know how many weeks I’ll get.

“Garth’s pretty much said ‘mate, go in there and try and take your opportunity’, so it was good to win (against Brisbane) but I think we can do even better than that, so that’s exciting.”

The Titans face a stern challenge against the visiting Warriors on Friday with in-form winger Dale Copley calling for more of the defensive starch that kept Brisbane at bay.

“It’s obviously pretty important when you come up against the Warriors, you’ve got to be physical,” Copley said.

“There’s no hiding the fact where they’ll try and come through us there. That’s what they bring and that’s what their strengths are, so it’s really important we combat that through the middle third.”

Kevin Proctor won’t face the Warriors after being ruled out for a month with a fractured left eye socket and is aiming for a Round 15 return against Manly.