Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler addresses David Fifita’s shock benching

David Fifita sat on the bench for 49 minutes as the Titans were flogged by the Bulldogs. Now Des Hasler’s reasoning for the selection controversy can be revealed.

Titans recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard has warned it could take Gold Coast two months to find its groove as a defiant Des Hasler refused to rush $1 million benchwarmer David Fifita into his starting side.

Fifita has again been named on the interchange for Saturday night’s clash with unbeaten Newcastle at Cbus Super Stadium.

The former Maroons weapon sat on the bench for 49 minutes watching on as the Titans suffered a 40-24 loss to Canterbury last Sunday.

One of Gold Coast’s most damaging players, Fifita wasn’t injected into the contest until the Titans were trailing 34-12.

The club’s second-highest paid player, Fifita was relegated to the pine behind Klese Haas given he had an injury-interrupted pre-season due to an ankle problem.

Fifita’s fitness is believed to be under question given he spent so much time off his feet.

David Fifita was stuck on the bench for 49 minutes as the Bulldogs piled on the points against the Titans. Picture: NRL Imagery

Hasler was criticised for his use of Fifita against the Bulldogs, but has named him in jersey No. 15 again for the Knights game.

There is a chance he could be promoted to the starting side on game day.

Campbell-Gillard said Fifita’s lack of pre-season training may be a reason for Hasler’s strategy.

“He might still be a bit underdone from the surgery he had in the off-season,” he said.

“We need him to play.

“Even if he comes off the bench I’m sure he’ll do a job. If he starts he’ll do a job.

“I don’t pick the team. You’d have to ask Des.”

Conceding 40 points in their first game of the season, after a round 1 bye, was a poor start to the year for the Titans.

They suffered six straight losses at the start of 2024, effectively ending their finals campaign as they slumped to a third consecutive bottom four finish in Hasler’s first year in charge.

Des Hasler has come under fire for his use of Fifita against the Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Imagery

Try-scoring winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira (hamstring) is facing a month on the sidelines while prop Jaimin Jolliffe (calf) has been ruled out of the Knights game.

Campbell-Gillard said it could take time for the Titans to fire but they had to find a way to win.

“It doesn’t matter how we get it, but the two points are very crucial to setting up your season,” he said.

“It’s going to take six or eight weeks before we’re playing our best football.

“It doesn’t matter how we get the two points, it’s a matter of getting it and we can fix the minor details along the way.

“We didn’t start well on the weekend so the main focus this week is to nail that first 20 minutes to see what we can do and set up an 80-minute performance.”

Originally published as Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler addresses David Fifita’s shock benching