The Titans squad has owned their disappointing opening round against the Sharks with the playing group putting their hands up for the performance.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash with the Dolphins, back-rower Arama Hau said the players had made it clear the performance rested on their shoulders.
After the loss, Josh Hannay addressed the team on his role in the side's defeat, but the player's weren't having any of it.
"We didn’t really turn up with the right attitude or intensity and that’s on us," Hau said.
"We had a good chat after the game and [Josh] sort of apologised and took the blame... but I don’t think we accepted that as a team.
"We just said we needed to start better. I think we sort of missed the jump.
"The Sharks came with the right intensity and attitude and we didn’t really meet that.
"That’s been the focus this week to just make sure we turn up from the start."
Despite the disappointing result, Hau said the mood within the group remained positive as they prepare to face the Dolphins.
"It’s only Round 1," he said.
"We did get touched up a bit, but it’s a long season."
'We need to turn up from the start': Hau
While plenty of external attention has focused on Hau’s rise into the starting side, the 21-year-old said he was keeping things simple and concentrating on his role within the team.
“Pressure’s a privilege,” he said.
“I don’t really want to listen to the outside noise too much. I just want to do my job for the boys.”
Hau’s path back into the NRL has required patience and maturity, including a stint in England after earlier opportunities with the Titans.
Looking back, he admits it was a time that helped him reset his focus.
“Outside of footy I probably wasn’t taking it as serious as I should have (back then),” he said.
“I was a bit younger and getting into a bit of mischief, but going over there helped me focus again.”
Match: Dolphins v Titans
Round 2 -
home Team
Dolphins
12th Position
away Team
Titans
16th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Now back on the Gold Coast and given an opportunity in a starting role, Hau is determined to make the most of it.
“Just doing my job for the team, being aggressive and preparing well,” he said of his focus this year.
Preparation has been a key theme inside the Titans camp this week as the squad looks to lift the intensity heading into the Dolphins clash.
“For me personally it’s just my prep,” he said.
“At training we’ve just been going after each other and iron sharpens iron, so that’s what we’ve been focusing on.”
With lessons learned from Round 1, the Titans will be looking to show their response when they meet the Dolphins this Sunday in the Sunshine Showdown at Suncorp Stadium.
