‘Lost for answers’ Gold Coast Titans coach Justin Holbrook set to be the latest to be SACKED in NRL bloodbath that has already claimed three scalps
- The Titans have won just three games all season and were flogged by Newcastle
- A shattered Holbrook admitted he was lost for answers in the wake of the loss
- The club has launched a review that is likely to result in sacking their coach
- If he goes, Holbrook will become the fourth NRL coach sacked this season
Justin Holbrook may have coached his last game in charge of the Gold Coast Titans with the fed-up club set to terminate his contract before their next match.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that the Titans have already launched an internal review into their diabolical season that has reaped just three wins and has the Gold Coast – NRL finalists in 2021 – heading towards its third wooden spoon.
It is understood Holbook will not be spared the axe in a wide-ranging reform of the club, despite signing a $1.5 million, three-year deal in 2020.
Holbrook cut a concerned figure last night as the Titans were dismantled by Newcastle
Titans chairman Dennis Watt said it was time for the review.
‘We are disappointed with performances,’ he said.
‘We are reviewing the season and we are looking for a strong finish from here.’
It is understood there are clauses in Holbrook’s contract which mean the club will not be forced into an expensive pay out.
The Titans have likely moved quickly to remove Holbrook because there are already three other NRL clubs on the market for a new head coach that have a head start on the Gold Coast.
The Bulldogs, Warriors and Wests Tigers have all parted ways with their respective coaches in 2022.
A host of NRL-ready talent is available including Penrith Panthers assistant Cameron Ciraldo and St Helens dual-premiership winner Kristian Woolf.
Brian Kelly of the Titans looks dejected after another try is scored against them in another loss
By sacking Holbrook now, the Titans will have a shot at the best talent before it is secured.
It is understood the club will announce the decision before the club’s next match against the Brisbane Broncos in their Queensland derby.
Desperately needing a win, the Titans were thrashed 38-12 by fellow-battlers Newcastle on Friday night. The Titans looked clueless in defence at times and barely fired a shot except for a short flurry of tries in the second half.
Not even the return of star forward David Fifita could inspire the Titans against the Knights
‘It was awful,’ Holbrook said after the game.
‘We didn’t know what we were doing out there [in defence]. We’ve got a lot to fix up.
‘I am [lost for answers] tonight. In the last game we competed hard against the Sharks, then tonight we’re a million miles off. We have to look at the team and who’s running out there.
‘There’s been a lot of things [go wrong]. We’ve got guys in positions not doing their job well enough for the NRL.
‘We’re so disappointed. We’ve got to make a few changes now and get back into it.’