Klese Haas has declared he is ready and eager to do any role required for the Titans as he waits to see if David Fifita will back-up from a herculean Origin performance on Wednesday night.
Currently named to start from the bench in Saturday's crucial clash against the Rabbitohs at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook will assess how the 21-year-old's back-row mentor Fifita and skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui pulled up after Queensland's 26-18 Game I win in Adelaide before making his final judgement on the Maroons duo at the side's captain's run on Friday.
Whilst both representatives have full intentions to be ready to return for their club side come Saturday, their on-field contributions for their state have given their Titans teammates an extra shot in the arm for their upcoming encounter against South Sydney
And whilst there has been plenty of talk externally about will they or won't they... there's been none of that at Titans HQ on Thursday, with the playing group ready to accept whatever the outcome is with their two stars and stand up should they be absent - especially for Haas who knows how quickly things can change in rugby league.
"I think Davey will be right, but just in case he's not, Justin has told me to be ready no matter what so I can just fill in if needed," he said.
"With what happened with Beauy (Fermor) [rupturing his ACL in the pre-season], I feel like you've just got to be ready in this sport."
Match: Titans v Rabbitohs
Round 14 -
home Team
Titans
13th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
3rd Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
A regular on the first grade pine since Round 9 after averaging 112 running metres and 29 tackles a game in action for Tweed to start the season, his seventh NRL appearance could potentially be his first as a starter should his Origin teammate be rested, but coming in as a 'Fifita replacement' isn't a concern for the mature youngster, who wants to bring his own game to the position.
But he is extremely thankful for the advice he has received from the experienced star, which has put him in the box seat should he be unleashed from the opening whistle.
"We haven't really talked about it much [about how I need to play]," Haas said.
"[Justin] just said because I might be coming in for David doesn't mean I have to play like him... I just need to play like myself out there.
"With all my little talks and stuff with David in the pre-season and stuff like that, he's helped me out a lot so I feel like I'm ready."
Jayden Campbell break sets up Klese Haas
Also helping Haas and the Titans will be a bumper vocal home crowd who can't wait to be back at Cbus Super Stadium after having to watch their team from afar whilst they've been on the road the past seven weeks - the comfort and support set to be a huge factor in getting back in the winner's circle over the Rabbitohs.
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"It's been a long time away from the fans, so it's good to get back here and we want to get it done for them," he said.
"Being away from home, it's very hard but knowing we get to come back here against the Bunnies and hopefully make a statement in the NRL will be good.
"Especially with the last few weeks [not getting the result] away, I feel like we've needed that little push over the edge, so to have the fans behind us this week will be massive for us."
