Titans

When the topic of 'buys of the year' has been discussed in recent weeks Wallace's name is rarely mentioned but this time 12 month ago he was a bench forward for the Broncos who had started in just 10 of his 73 career games to date.

But as a Titan he has played in every one of the 17 games he has been available to play in this season, racking up exactly 1,000 minutes at an average of a tick under 59 minutes per game going into Sunday's clash with the Wests Tigers.

A man of great faith, Pulu gave praise not only for the surgery that potentially saved his life but also the speed of his recovery that enabled him to make a triumphant return against the Sharks on Saturday night, playing 41 minutes and a critical role in the try scored by Joe Greenwood midway through the second half.

A father of two with a third on the way in the coming months, Pulu spoke to NRL.com about the dire situation he found himself in and the blessings that he has been able to take from it.

‌Highly regarded by his teammates and the Titans coaching staff, King is still eligible for the Holden Cup this year but impressed everyone with his work ethic during the pre-season and positive attitude around the playing group.

A fourth generation first grader, King was thrust into the senior squad to make his debut in Round 3 but after five games he suffered a broken hand that kept him out for six weeks and had the potential to delay his NRL progression.

Titans coach Neil Henry said he was happy to have Lawton remain at the club.

"It's great to be able to re-sign a local product who loves it here on the Gold Coast," Henry said. "He has proved himself to be a good utility, playing a number of positions since debuting.

"He has put in a lot of hard work and has been part of the system here at the Titans for a long time. He has had a tough run with injury but we're glad that he has committed to the club for the next three years."

 ‌Under pressure from his mother back in England to start wearing headgear after he was knocked out courtesy of some friendly fire from Ryan James against Souths in Round 15 – "She's on the other side of the world so she can't tell me what to do for now" – it was something of a surprise that Greenwood was able to back up against Wests Tigers last weekend.

He missed two games earlier in the season due to repeated head knocks but doesn't believe he is any more susceptible than other players, shrugging them off as being in "the wrong place at the wrong time".

The only team to have defeated the two Telstra Premiership front-runners in the Storm and Sharks – not to mention being a well-executed kick from knocking off fourth-placed Brisbane – the Titans are in danger of vying for the wooden spoon rather than the top eight should they lose a fifth game on the trot this week.

It was only a month ago that Gold Coast had pushed into the top eight on the back of three consecutive wins and while that proved they could match it with the top teams, the way back is through energy and effort.

The Titans and Storm will be taking the issue to the NRL after questioning whether Kiwis team management had failed to properly supervise the pair.

Melbourne prop Bromwich has stood down as Kiwis skipper and Proctor has given up his role as Gold Coast co-captain after the pair were accused of taking an illicit substance in the early hours of Saturday morning after the Test loss to Australia in Canberra.

Hayne will undergo scans today but the Titans boss Graham Annesley is resigned to losing him for a lot more than just the highly anticipated first clash with his former club Parramatta on Friday night.

The winless Titans are now facing an early season injury crisis after Anthony Don and Kayne Lawton suffered dislocated shoulders in the same game.

Photo: Getty Images/TONY FEDER (Jarryd Hayne leaves the field after picking up an ankle injury at the weekend).

Greenwood is considered one of the best young back-rowers in the Super League and has been on the radar of several NRL clubs.

Both Taia and Greenwood are awaiting visas before they officially join their new clubs.

"We wouldn't want to stand in the way of any player wishing to ply their trade elsewhere and Joe has been given a good opportunity at the Gold Coast,” Saints coach Kieron Cunningham said.

"It's always difficult to lose a home-grown player and personally I will be sad to see him leave.

Tuivasa-Sheck was playing his second game back since a serious knee injury ended his 2016 season after just seven games.

Awarded the captaincy two weeks ago, Tuivasa-Sheck is finding his feet in the unfamiliar role.

"I'm feeling comfortable, especially with the boys around me - they're helping me, they're supporting me," he said.

"I haven't done so much stuff as a captain, I've just been one of the boys yelling out the calls and reminding them of their jobs."