Titans leap to Hayne's defence
Sep 10, 2016 - 1:21 AM He came up with a crucial blunder and once again failed to make a dent when it counted however Gold Coast have leapt to the defence of superstar signing Jarryd Hayne.Talked up pre-game as a possible difference-maker, fullback Hayne once again had an off night as the Titans were dumped from the NRL finals in their 44-28 loss to Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
After his side took an 18-16 lead into halftime, Hayne spilled the ball from the kickoff with Alex Glenn crossing a minute later.
It ultimately proved a turning point and from there the Broncos opened up the floodgates, running away with the game.
However coach Neil Henry defended his charge, saying it was always going to take time to find his feet back in the game after 18 months out in the NFL and Rugby Sevens.
"I think we've had half a dozen sessions maximum where we've had both our halves and our fullback together," Henry said.
"He'll be a lot better with a pre-season and an understanding as well. We'll build on that."
Hayne rarely delivered on his million-dollar price tag in his six games back since returning to Australia.
While he kicked the winning field goal in the Titans' memorable 19-18 victory over Wests Tigers in his second game back, he was relatively quiet in his other outings.
He came up with three try assists - including kicking for Josh Hoffman on the stroke of halftime against the Broncos on Friday night - one linebreak and no tries.
While adamant that Hayne will be in far better shape with a pre-season under his belt, Henry conceded his No.1's clanger from the kick off changed the momentum of the game.
"The possession flow was heavily against us at times," Henry said.
"We had to hang in and defend and I thought our goal-line defence was really good at times.
"But it got opened up early on the back of an error off the kickoff at the start of the second half."
Source: AAP
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