'The relationship is fine, everything is good': Hasler denies feud as Fifita goes under the knife
Gold Coast coach Des Hasler insists his "relationship is good" with dumped $1m forward David Fifita.
He also says Fifita is a part of the club's long-term plans, and denied he is looking for the exit door himself amid what has been a turbulent month for the Queensland club.
Hasler made the bold call to axe Fifita from the NRL team a fortnight ago following a string of poor performances.
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The 25-year-old is now heading to the operating table to fix a lingering ankle issue which Hasler says will sideline Fifita for about a month.
Rumours of a feud between the pair emerged over the weekend after a cryptic Fifita quote was published about his dumping from first grade.
Titans coach Des Hasler speaks to media. Gold Coast Titans
Hasler fronted media on Thursday and denied there was any animosity.
"He is a big part of our plans going forward so we need to get him back," Hasler said.
"The surgery has probably come at a good time... it will be clear ways ahead.
"Our relationship is fine. The relationship is fine, everything is good.
"Everything is good, everything is fine. We are going well... although we want to go better.
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"There are no issues there. (He is) a big part of our pans."
There were reports Fifita had been shopped to rival clubs this week - although whether it was purported to be by his own management or by the club was not made clear.
News Corp also reported Hasler has clauses in his deal which allow him to leave the Titans at any stage.
The coach says he's not going anywhere.
David Fifita of the Titans is tackled. Getty
"I enjoy coaching, and while I enjoy coaching I'll continue to coach," he said.
"It's all a challenge, we have been here before in these positions. It's called being in the kitchen when the heat's on, we just need to ride through it."
Gold Coast has won two of eight games this season and the Titans have not played NRL finals since 2021.
Hasler is urging supporters to stick solid with the team.
"I want to tell the fans to just hang on," he said.
"We haven't used injuries as an excuse, and we don't want to. We realise we have been in games for parts of the game, we want to put a full 80 minutes together.
"We are getting troops back on board, so stay with us. Be patient."
Gold Coast faces Newcastle on Friday night.
