Sacked Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook opens up on league-changing Tino Fa’asuamaleaui-David Fifita clauses
Axed Titans coach Justin Holbrook has hit back at speculation he pushed for the contract clauses which could allow Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita to leave Gold Coast.
Sacked Titans coach Justin Holbrook has blasted speculation he was behind the controversial get-out clause that has left his successor Des Hasler fighting to keep Origin stars Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita at the Gold Coast.
Holbrook broke his silence to vehemently deny being the architect of a bizarre contract clause that has made $2 million duo Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita free agents ahead of Sunday’s Titans-Eels clash at CommBank Stadium.
As revealed by this masthead, Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita have clauses in their contracts that state their Titans deals would be made null-and-void if Holbrook was sacked, which happened three weeks ago.
Gold Coast bosses must now renegotiate new deals with the Queensland Origin big guns, leaving the club in danger of big-money poaching raids from NRL rivals.
But the deposed Titans coach insists he was not the brainchild of the ‘Holbrook clause’ and hopes Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita stay loyal, insisting the good mates are driven to deliver Gold Coast’s maiden premiership.
“No way in the world would I ever push for a clause like that to be put in — it was their decision,” Holbrook said.
“I didn’t even know they were putting the clause into their contracts.
“It certainly wasn’t driven by me.
“They clearly only put that in there because the boys (Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita) wanted me to be coach there.
“They mustn’t have had confidence in the front-office, but I honestly don’t expect them to leave.
“Tino is the captain and he is good mates with Dave, who is also very settled at the club.
“The club actually got Dave’s partner (Shaylee Bent) to play for the Titans’ NRLW side to keep him settled, so I wouldn’t like to see him or Tino leave the club, not at all.
“To be honest, I don’t think the clause is an issue … I believe they will stay at the Titans.”
Fa’asuamaleaui’s manager Simon Mammino backed Holbrook’s stance, saying he requested the clause in a bid for stability at the Titans at a time when Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins were trying to poach the Queensland Origin enforcer.
The Dolphins held talks with Titans skipper Fa’asuamaleaui within weeks of winning an NRL licence in October 2021.
The premiership-winning prop seriously considered joining Redcliffe to be closer to family at hometown Gympie, but Mammino said Fa’asuamaleaui’s relationship with Holbrook was a key factor, prompting the coach-related clause.
“Justin never got involved in any negotiations. Justin never asked for the clause to be put in, I did it,” Mammino said.
“Tino was very fond of Justin, that’s why we had the clause put into the contract.
“Tino is from Gympie and he could have gone up the road (to the Dolphins) to be closer to his family, but he believed in Justin and backed him.”
Fifita has a separate manager in Michael Hudson, who requested the same clause in the hope the former Broncos back-rower would have a long-term mentor at the Titans.
But coaching winds of change have swept the Titans. Hasler, Holbrook’s successor, now shapes as a pivotal figure in keeping Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita on the Glitter Strip.
The former Manly premiership coach briefly visited Parkwood following his shock appointment, but is keeping his distance out of respect to the Titans’ current push to make the finals.
Mammino, however, is keen for Hasler to meet with Fa’asuamaleaui and outline his premiership blueprint.
“We would certainly like to meet with Des before Tino makes a final call,” he said.
“Tino has to see if he clicks with Des.
“Des had a brief chat with Tino a few weeks ago when he came to the club for the day. He was there only briefly.
“Des is going to be the new coach and I’d be surprised if Des didn’t speak to Tino and all the players to talk about his vision for the club.
“Ideally, Tino doesn’t want to leave.
“He really likes the Titans and he is a loyal kid, but he will make the best decision for his future now that Justin is not there.”
It is understood the management of Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita have a three-month period to source new offers.
The Bulldogs are considering a $4 million raid on Fa’asuamaleaui, who has interest from six clubs, while the Raiders are keen to sign Fifita.
Queensland Origin legend Gorden Tallis, a long-time Titans ambassador, scoffed at suggestions Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita could quit the Gold Coast.
“They won’t leave,” he said.
“This isn’t new to Tino or Dave. They are well paid at the Titans and if one of them did go, I can’t imagine their new club having too many $1 million teammates.
“Knowing David the way I do, he is very close to his family and he is very settled on the Gold Coast. He is playing great footy and he is close to Tino.
“I get the managers’ job. They are shopping them and doing what they are supposed to do, but I can’t see too many Sydney clubs paying more than what they are already on at the Titans.
“I have zero concerns about them leaving.
“When the timing is right, they will both announce they are staying at the Titans so the noise goes away.
“Tino is the captain there and I’d be surprised if he walked away from the club.”
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