{"id":465621,"date":"2026-02-08T03:14:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T03:14:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/465621\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T03:14:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T03:14:14","slug":"nrl-best-19s-for-2026-gold-coast-titans-nrl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/465621\/","title":{"rendered":"NRL best 19s for 2026: Gold Coast Titans – NRL News"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Gold Coast Titans<\/a> finished 2025 at the wrong end of the ladder, but the arrival of Josh Hannay<\/a>, and pre-season retention moves, could just pave the way for the club to begin their turnaround in 2026.<\/p>\n

Things looked somewhat hopeless for the Titans at the end of 2025.<\/p>\n

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui<\/a> was set to leave, a host of others were weighing up their options, Des Hasler<\/a> had been axed in yet another coaching calamity for the Robina-based club, and the long-term prospects of a turnaround still looked no good.<\/p>\n

Fast forward a couple of months though, and Josh Hannay<\/a> seems to have found a new outlook and lease on the Titans. Fa’asuamaleaui, Beau Fermor<\/a> and Jayden Campbell<\/a> have been among the re-signings, while there is genuine hope the blue and gold might finally start to hit their on-field potential.<\/p>\n

The Titans certainly have the ability to be a solid team in this competition, but have, for the most part of their existence, struggled to realise it.<\/p>\n

There are some big questions around selection for 2026, particularly in the spine, but if Josh Hannay<\/a> can find improvement and consistency out of key names, then who knows what the limit really might be for the Titans.<\/p>\n

Here is how we expect them to line up for the campaign ahead.<\/p>\n

Recruitment report<\/p>\n

Ins: Adam Christensen<\/a> (2027), Max Feagai<\/a> (The Dolphins<\/a>, 2027), Lachlan Ilias<\/a> (St George Illawarra Dragons<\/a>, 2027), Kurtis Morrin<\/a> (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs<\/a>, 2027), Oliver Pascoe<\/a> (2027), Luke Sommerton<\/a> (Penrith Panthers<\/a>, 2027), Jensen Taumoepeau<\/a> (2027)<\/p>\n

Outs: Jacob Alick-Wiencke<\/a> (Leigh Leopards<\/a>), Javon Andrews<\/a> (Wests Tigers<\/a>), Reagan Campbell-Gillard<\/a> (London Broncos<\/a>), Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui<\/a> (Catalans Dragons<\/a>), David Fifita<\/a> (South Sydney Rabbitohs<\/a>), Kieran Foran<\/a> (retired), Carter Gordon<\/a> (rugby union), Brian Kelly<\/a> (Parramatta Eels<\/a>), Alofiana Khan-Pereira<\/a> (New Zealand Warriors<\/a>), Ben Liyou<\/a> (Brisbane Tigers), Ken Maumalo<\/a> (retired), Sean Mullany<\/a> (Mackay Cutters), Josiah Pahulu<\/a> (Melbourne Storm<\/a>), Sam Stephenson<\/a> (retired), Thomas Weaver<\/a> (Castleford Tigers<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Off-contract at end of 2026: Jaimin Jolliffe<\/a>, Phillip Sami<\/a>, Sam Verrills<\/a><\/p>\n

Full squad<\/p>\n

Cooper Bai<\/a>, AJ Brimson<\/a>, Jayden Campbell<\/a>, Adam Chrisentensen, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui<\/a>, Max Feagai<\/a>, Beau Fermor<\/a>, Jojo Fifita<\/a>, Moeaki Fotuaika<\/a>, Tony Francis<\/a>, Brock Gray<\/a>, Klese Haas<\/a>, Zane Harrison<\/a>, Arama Hau<\/a>, Lachlan Ilias<\/a>, Jaimin Jolliffe<\/a>, Keano Kini<\/a>, Kurtis Morrin<\/a>, Oliver Pascoe<\/a>, Josh Patston<\/a>, Chris Randall<\/a>, Phillip Sami<\/a>, Luke Sommerton<\/a>, Jensen Taumeopeau, Sam Verrills<\/a><\/p>\n

Supplementary contracts: Siale Faeamani<\/a>, Jett Liu<\/a>, Tukimihia Simpkins<\/a><\/p>\n

Who plays where?<\/p>\n

Fullback
Some will – and potentially correctly – argue that AJ Brimson<\/a> is the best fullback at the Titans.<\/p>\n

In fact, that he is one of the best, certainly most underrated, fullbacks anywhere in the NRL<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That’s not all that far from the truth. For the bulk of Brimson’s career, the Gold Coast have always looked a worse outfit when he has either been injured, suspended, or playing in another position.<\/p>\n

The Titans do claim to have an answer to Brimson not playing fullback now though, and it would appear to be almost a certainty that Keano Kini<\/a>, who spend much of 2025 out with a serious back injury, will kick off 2026 in the number one jumper.<\/p>\n

Brimson, who will be utilised elsewhere in the side, may not automatically shuffle to the back if Kini is unavailable though, just to avoid messing with the spine.<\/p>\n

The case is the same for Jayden Campbell<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That could ultimately mean Jaylan de Groot has a run at fullback if there is an issue, while Jensen Taumeopeau has arrived from Cronulla and is another option.<\/p>\n

Wingers
The departure of Alofiana Khan-Pereira<\/a> to the New Zealand Warriors<\/a> does allow for some more clarity on the flanks at the Gold Coast.<\/p>\n

Jojo Fifita<\/a> will fairly obviously be the walk-up option on one side of the park, while a lack of depth means Jaylan de Groot should have a walk-up role on the other.<\/p>\n

Max Feagai<\/a>, who joins from the Dolphins<\/a>, and Phillip Sami<\/a> are both options on the wing, but there is something of a lack of depth.<\/p>\n

Recent reports suggest development player Siale Faeamani<\/a> has had a tremendous pre-season and could be in the mix.<\/p>\n

Centres
The reason Sami and Feagai can’t be seriously considered for the wing positions is because they ultimately will likely win the centre roles.<\/p>\n

Sami has played there in recent seasons with enough success, while Feagai has shown enough across stints at the Dragons and Dolphins<\/a> to suggest he is good enough to play first-grade footy on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

Again, depth is a little short for the Titans.<\/p>\n

AJ Brimson<\/a> could be used in the centres, but again, it’s not where we are naming him, while development option Faeamani can also play in the three-quarters.<\/p>\n

Tony Francis<\/a> has impressed in recent years and probably should be the first main back-up option for the men from the south-east corner of Queensland.<\/p>\n

Halves
AJ Brimson<\/a> clearly needs to be in the Titans’ spine somewhere, even if there is disagreement about whether he should be playing the fullback role.<\/p>\n

We have him pegged to start the 2026 campaign at five-eighth, while he should be joined by Jayden Campbell<\/a> in the halves.<\/p>\n

Campbell had his first full season at halfback in 2025, doing a solid job of it, so there is no reason to suggest that’s about to change.<\/p>\n

Lachlan Ilias<\/a> has joined the club from the St George Illawarra Dragons<\/a> and probably poses as the main back-up option, or, pending form, threat for minutes.<\/p>\n

Middle forwards
The Titans’ middle third is the most settled area of the team. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui<\/a> and Moeaki Fotuaika<\/a> are one of the competition’s better front-row pairings and will absolutely start.<\/p>\n

The departure of Reagan Campbell-Gillard<\/a> removes an option from the club, while Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui<\/a> has also left.<\/p>\n

That should mean Chris Randall<\/a> moves back into the middle third on a fulltime basis, taking the number 13 jumper.<\/p>\n

All the pre-season talk has been that Klese Haas<\/a> is now a middle third option, and will need to be with the ACL injury to Jaimin Jolliffe<\/a>, while recruit Kurtis Morrin<\/a> and rookie Cooper Bai<\/a> could both have roles to play.<\/p>\n

Hooker
Sam Verrills<\/a> enters a contract year for the Titans and should have a big year for the Gold Coast, playing big minutes and continuing to produce on a consistent basis.<\/p>\n

Luke Sommerton<\/a> joins from the Penrith Panthers<\/a> as the likely first choice back-up option at dummy half, while Oliver Pascoe<\/a> is also part of the Top 30 and provides further depth for Hannay’s side.<\/p>\n

Edge forwards
Depth in the middle third might be a bit short for the Gold Coast, but it certainly isn’t on the edge despite the off-season departure of David Fifita<\/a> to the South Sydney Rabbitohs<\/a>, with the Gold Coast finally pulling the band-aid off.<\/p>\n

Beau Fermor<\/a> becomes the lead second-rower for the club as he looks to take his game to another level, and will be joined in the starting team by either Brock Gray<\/a> or Josh Patston<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Arama Hau<\/a> is the other likely option to feature.<\/p>\n

Interchange
Sommerton’s arrival from Penrith should win him a bench spot for the Gold Coast, while there will be plenty of forward depth selected.<\/p>\n

Kurtis Morrin<\/a> and Klese Haas<\/a> should feature on a consistent and regular basis, while the expectation is that Cooper Bai<\/a> will benefit heavily from Jolliffe’s injury.<\/p>\n

We are giving the extra two spots to Lachlan Ilias<\/a>, to cover the halves, and Tony Francis<\/a>, to cover the backline.<\/p>\n

The best 19<\/p>\n

1. Keano Kini<\/a>
2. Jaylan De Groot<\/a>
3. Phillip Sami<\/a>
4. Max Feagai<\/a>
5. Jojo Fifita<\/a>
6. AJ Brimson<\/a>
7. Jayden Campbell<\/a>
8. Moeaki Fotuaika<\/a>
9. Sam Verrills<\/a>
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui<\/a>
11. Beau Fermor<\/a>
12. Brock Gray<\/a>
13. Chris Randall<\/a><\/p>\n

Interchange
14. Luke Sommerton<\/a>
15. Klese Haas<\/a>
16. Cooper Bai<\/a>
17. Kurtis Morrin<\/a>
18. Tony Francis<\/a>
19. Lachlan Ilias<\/a><\/p>\n

* Jaimin Jolliffe not considered due to ACL injury.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Gold Coast Titans finished 2025 at the wrong end of the ladder, but the arrival of Josh…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":70160,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[64,63,761,762,158,85],"class_list":["post-465621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-nrl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=465621"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465621\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=465621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=465621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=465621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}