NRL 2024: David Fifita in doubt for round 1 after pec tear; Gold Coast Titans starting halves pair revealed

Gold Coast Titans superstar David Fifita is in danger of missing round 1 of the NRL season after suffering an injury which requires surgery.

Tom Weaver. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Gold Coast Titans superstar David Fifita is in doubt for round 1 of the NRL season after suffering a pectoral injury at training.

The Queensland Origin forward will undergo surgery on Wednesday after suffering a partial pec tear on Monday.

The exact severity of the injury is unknown, however Fifita requires surgery and will be out of full training for a number of weeks, and possibly months.

Titans coach Des Hasler is hopeful of his most destructive player being available for the start of the 2024 NRL premiership - his first season in charge of Gold Coast.

Fifita was on the comeback trail from off-season knee surgery and was yet to commence full contact training when the latest injury occurred.

Hasler can ill-afford to lose his most potent attacking weapon for an extended period.

Fifita was crowned Dally M second-rower of the year in 2023 following his most consistent season in the NRL, which included a return to the State of Origin arena.

David Fifita suffered a partial pectoral tear at training.

Meanwhile, Hasler has made a Titanic selection call with Tanah Boyd set to get first crack at Gold Coast’s No. 7 jersey in 2024.

Hasler has earmarked a halves pairing of Boyd at halfback alongside veteran five-eighth Kieran Foran to kick off his tenure as Titans coach next season.

The Titans finished last season with young gun Tom Weaver at halfback for the final three rounds after Boyd underwent shoulder surgery.

The club then underwent a change of coach following Justin Holbrook’s mid-season sacking, prompting suggestions Boyd’s position at halfback was in jeopardy.

Hasler is also weighing up how to use fullback hopefuls AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell – who could both feature in the halves.

However Hasler is expected to show faith in Boyd and give the 60-game NRL regular an opportunity to prove he is Gold Coast’s answer at halfback.

Tanah Boyd is expected to get first crack at halfback in 2024. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Boyd, 23, is still on a modified training program and won’t join the rest of the squad in full contact until after the Christmas break.

But he is determined to make the No.7 jersey his own amid the rise of NSW under-19s Origin playmaker Weaver.

“I’ve got to come back in and show what I can do and do my job,” Boyd said.

“I’ll be pretty focused on playing halfback, that’s what I did last year, and I want to keep getting better and take us to the finals.

“You’ve got to have depth. You look at the good sides like Penrith, it’s next man up. You’ve got to have that to be successful.

“We’ve got blokes fighting for spots everywhere. It’s good, I love it.

“It keeps me wanting to get back out there and do my best.

“It’s always healthy and me and Tommy get along well.”

Boyd carried a painful shoulder injury for much of the 2023 season, but still managed to play 21 games before eventually going under the knife.

While his training has been restricted, the young playmaker has relished life under a two-time NRL premiership coach in Hasler so far.

“(The shoulder is) feeling really good, strong again and I’ll start doing some wrestle (now). I should be back to full training two weeks after Chrissy,” Boyd said.

“I’m loving him (Hasler). He is so passionate and gets us going before training.

Tom Weaver started the final three games of 2023. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“His detail is unbelievable, there’s so much coaching for us. It’s been so good. I only see good things for us.

“He rides us and if you don’t perform or train well, you get told. It’s been so good and that’s what we need.

“He’s already picked up a few things with me. That’s the good thing, he lets you know straight away.

“I can’t wait to learn off him. He’s been around for a very long time and seen it all.

“I know how much I can develop under him.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: David Fifita in doubt for round 1 after pec tear; Gold Coast Titans starting halves pair revealed