Titans playmaker Kane Elgey responds to Cowboys’ contract attention

AS the Gold Coast fight to stave off the Cowboys for Kane Elgey’s signature, the Titans playmaker has spoken about his future goals.

Kane Elgey makes a break for the Titans. Picture: Richard Gosling

KANE Elgey says he has no intention of walking out on the Titans as the Gold Coast fight to stave off the Cowboys for the star playmaker’s signature.

Elgey faces one of the biggest tests of his career on Sunday in Auckland when he squares off against five-eighth rival Kieran Foran, who makes his Warriors debut after nine months out of rugby league.

There are questions over Elgey’s long-term future at the Titans, with North Queensland eyeing the 23-year-old as a possible successor to Johnathan Thurston.

Elgey and halves partner Ashley Taylor are off contract next season and with the Broncos circling Taylor, there is no guarantee the Titans can afford to keep both.

The Titans’ No. 6 says he is flattered by the Cowboys’ interest, but admits, as a Gold Coast junior, he would find it difficult to sever ties with the Titans.

“My preference is to stay here,” Elgey said.

Kane Elgey’s preference is to stay with the Titans/

“It’s nice to know other clubs may be interested, but I’m in no rush really. I’ve got another year to run on my contract and the Titans have always been good to me.

“My main focus is playing some good football again. I haven’t played a lot of games since my knee injury so I want to do the right thing by the Titans as well.”

While Foran has endured dark times off the field, Elgey has faced his demons on it.

The clash at Mt Smart Stadium represents Elgey’s sixth game back in the NRL since undergoing a knee reconstruction.

Last week, he missed a game-high seven tackles in a 32-26 loss to the Cowboys in which back-rower Coen Hess ran riot on the fringes.

“It’s been a bit of a bad start (to the season) for us all, myself included,” Elgey said.

Kane Elgey makes a break for the Titans. Picture: Richard Gosling

“I’m a confidence player and I’m not playing with confidence at the moment.

“Everyone thought I would just come back and be the player I was a few years ago. I thought it would happen, too, but it hasn’t been the case so I need to change that pretty soon.

“I was annoyed by what happened last week because for 70 minutes I felt I did a good job on Coen Hess. He ended up beating me to score the winning try so I need to defend well for the full 80.”

Elgey is relishing joining Taylor to battle Foran and Shaun Johnson, the Kiwi duo who led New Zealand to the No. 1 Test ranking in 2015.

“When the side loses, myself and Ash will get the blame and I’ll cop that, that’s our responsibility as playmakers,” Elgey said.

“I’m not playing to my potential and I just need one good game to turn things around. I’m working hard and there’s no excuses.”

Originally published as Titans playmaker Kane Elgey responds to Cowboys’ contract attention