Titans back Hayne to rise above 'circus'

Gold Coast co-coach Craig Hodges has backed Jarryd Hayne to overcome another tumultuous week and inspire the Titans in Saturday's NRL clash with Canterbury.

Gold Coast Titans fullback Jarryd Hayne

Gold Coast's co-coach has backed Jarryd Hayne to inspire the Titans against Canterbury. (AAP)

If anyone can rise above the "crazy stuff" at embattled NRL club Gold Coast it is Jarryd Hayne, according to Titans co-coach Craig Hodges.

And it is why Hodges is backing the fullback to overcome yet another tumultuous week and inspire the Titans in Saturday's final home clash with Canterbury.

All eyes will be on Hayne upon his return from an ankle injury and just days after Titans coach Neil Henry was sacked over a reported feud with the ex-NFL player.

Hodges admitted it had been a "circus" at the besieged club as speculation swirled around Henry and Hayne's future for weeks.

But he said it had been business as usual for Hayne and expected him to shine now that the "black cloud" had lifted since Henry's axing on Monday.

The Titans gave Hayne the all clear after he overcome what appeared to be an ankle scare at Friday's training.

"He's fine. Jarryd has had headlines his whole career good and bad," said Hodges, who will share the Titans reins with Terry Matterson.

"I don't think he takes a hell of a lot of notice of it.

"He's as experienced as anyone with dealing with crazy stuff.

"He's had the American (NFL) experience which is next level again, so I don't doubt his frame of mind at all at the moment."

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler admitted he had no idea what to expect from the Titans but was wary of Hayne's on-field response, after the star copped plenty of criticism over Henry's departure.

"He's got that special knack," Hasler said.

"Everyone knows his game pretty well and what he is capable of and that is how we will respond."

Hayne missed last round's 30-8 loss to Parramatta -- the Titans' fifth straight defeat and what turned out to be Henry's last game at the helm.

The Titans board members met on Friday to begin the process of finding Henry's replacement with a decision expected in November.

"The good part about it is whether you agree with what happened or not it is done and there is a finality to it and we can get on with playing," Hodges said.

"I would like to think all the drama and all the circus has ended for us and now we can get on with playing football."

The Bulldogs bounced back with a last round win over Manly after losing 10 of their previous 12 games.

Canterbury are sweating on the fitness of playmaker Josh Reynolds (hamstring).

STATS THAT MATTER

* Gold Coast have won four of five games against Canterbury at Cbus Super Stadium.

* Gold Coast score more tries (25) off kicks than any other NRL team while Canterbury concede the most tries from kicks (24).

* If Gold Coast concede 45 points in their past two games they would have leaked the most points in a season in club history.


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Source: AAP



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