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Still only 19 but with the physical attributes and the emotional intelligence of a seasoned veteran, Bai shapes as one of the most important players for the Titans going forward after he made the huge call to stay put despite initially agreeing to move to Melbourne earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt definitely was the toughest decision of my life I\u2019ve ever had to make,\u201d he said after his seventh game in the NRL. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never had to make any decisions like that before to pick between two clubs like that. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is pretty much where I\u2019ve grown up here on the Gold Coast, and obviously I\u2019ve got relations down south. To be honest, it was the toughest decision I think I\u2019ve actually had to make in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bai\u2019s father, Marcus, was a Storm legend in their early days, with Cooper chatting with influential figures at the club like coach Craig Bellamy and director of football Frank Ponissi who tried to get him to move down south. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe just had casual chats about footy and life in general. It was really good to talk to them to see a different perspective on everything,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve pretty much grown up here my whole life, and this is all I\u2019ve known. Being able to interact and see how things are done in other teams and other areas was a big insight for me. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt came down to me making decisions for myself and what I thought was best at the time. I felt it was best to stay here with the new coaching staff and all of that. That was the main reason.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hannay: “We’re on a different journey” | 05:01<\/p>\n
While Bellamy has the experience and long-term success, Bai is being coached by Josh Hannay who has youth on his side and is clearly changing things on the Gold Coast after years without success. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been amazing for me,\u201d Bai said, with the Titans looking much better in defence this season, while their attack is also clicking after they posted 50 points for just the second time as a franchise.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been teaching me the basics around the game and continually helping me to improve in my craft, playing in my position, and just playing in the NRL.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been really good for me moving forward with my mindset, getting my mind ready for the game as well as my physical body, as the high-performance staff also do. He\u2019s honestly been a game-changer for me.<\/p>\n
\u201c(He\u2019s been big on me) switching on and playing upbeat from the very beginning and not having to wait for something to happen. He\u2019s been really good in teaching me ways of doing that, to be able to go quickly with it and go straight away and not fall behind. <\/p>\n
\u201cEspecially coming in the middle and being young, there\u2019s a lot of noise, but (he\u2019s helped with me) being able to focus on my role.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bai is still only seven games into his NRL career. Picture: Bradley Kanaris\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Titans are still building under Hannay, but Sunday\u2019s win over the Eels is vindication for guys like Bai and Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui who decided to stay put. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt really helps with all of that noise outside the footy world,\u201d the young gun said. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo be able to show ourselves and show the fans at home, this is the new brand of Titans that we are. We\u2019re coming forward, and this is the footy that we want to play. <\/p>\n
\u201cNot necessarily just flashy, but we are willing to put the hard work in that we need to do to reframe that mindset around the Titans.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just always had a feeling (that I wanted to stay). <\/p>\n
\u201cWith the new coaching staff, I was really enjoying myself in training, and I was happy just training. Those were probably the main reasons why I wanted to stay and see how this season would go. <\/p>\n
\u201cNot wanting to regret anything if stuff happened down the track. I\u2019m still young, so decisions can happen down the track, but I felt it was best for me right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
The looming presence down the track will be when PNG enter the competition in 2028, with the Chiefs set to go after him hard.<\/p>\n
Bai has played a couple of Tests for PNG and also came off the bench in last year\u2019s Prime Minister\u2019s XIII where he was treated like a god by the locals.<\/p>\n
\u201cI absolutely love everyone over in PNG,\u201d he beamed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support and love that I get from everyone over there is tremendous. I\u2019ve never felt anything like it at all. To be able to play in those PM\u2019s XIII games and the international games too, it was such a good feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, if they end up coming out in \u201828 (there will be noise) but I don\u2019t really think of that right now. If stuff happens later, it happens later, but I\u2019m staying around now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kini FOOLS Parra with dynamic footwork | 00:45<\/p>\n
DALEY\u2019S SHOCK ORIGIN REVEAL<\/p>\n
NSW coach Laurie Daley has dropped his first selection hint five weeks out from team announcements, revealing he will be selecting two hookers in his 19-man squad this season.<\/p>\n
Roosters rake Reece Robson is the incumbent, while Connor Watson was deployed as a utility and a second option behind the ruck.<\/p>\n
While Daley\u2019s reveal doesn\u2019t spell the end of Watson\u2019s stint in the Blues side, he has made it clear two specialist No.9s will be in his side, opening a window for several players to be included.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the Big Sports Breakfast on Monday, a listener explained they believed Tigers skipper Api Koroisau was in the box seat for Origin selection due to his stellar form.<\/p>\n
Without giving away his own stance, Daley explained he agreed Koroisau was in form and was in the frame to return to the Blues side after last featuring during the 2023 series.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think in today\u2019s game, I think you can carry two hookers in a team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith six on the bench I\u2019m assuming, without locking anything in, at this stage you\u2019re probably thinking there\u2019s going to be an opportunity for two hookers to be a part of that squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cApi is playing as well as anyone and the game is all about attack. It has swung more towards attack than defence, and as I keep saying you have to take your moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you have the football and everything is going your way, and you have got to be able to create points and that\u2019s one thing we are looking at doing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout locking it in, we probably will look to carry two hookers in the squad this year\u2026 one starting, one off the bench.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alongside Robson and Koroisau, Blayke Brailey is another contenders after his best season to date in 2025, earning himself a lucrative new contract at the Sharks.<\/p>\n
Mitch Kenny is the remaining contender and arguably is the best defender of the bunch, enjoying a stellar stint at the Panthers\u2019 No.9.<\/p>\n
Apisai Koroisau has been in fine form in 2026.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
KNIGHTS CONFIRM KEY NEW SIGNING<\/p>\n
The Newcastle Knights have confirmed the signing of Warriors forward Marata Niukore to a three-year deal in a big boost for the much-improved team.<\/p>\n
The Knights have been an early surprise packet in 2026, with new coach Justin Holbrook producing immediate results in his first season in charge. <\/p>\n
Now he has landed a key signing ahead of 2027, with Head of Recruitment Peter O\u2019Sullivan saying in a statement that the club is \u201csuper excited\u201d to welcome the experienced forward to Newcastle.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a big athletic body, who can play in the middle or on the edge, with the same level of execution,\u201d added O\u2019Sullivan.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarata is one of the top edge defenders in the game and having played a lot of NRL in the centres, he adds genuine skill and versatility to our future stocks.<\/p>\n
\u201cEqually importantly, we know he is a great person, who cares about the club, the community and the teammates he represents, already committing to leaving the jersey in a better position than how he receives it.\u201d <\/p>\n
Andrew McFadden, the Warriors\u2019 general manager of recruitment, pathways and development, credited Niukore for his \u201chuge contribution\u201d to the club. <\/p>\n
\u201cBoth as a junior in his first term here and since coming home in 2023,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to him continuing to be a crucial part of our 2026 campaign as he looks to finish his time with the Warriors in the best possible way.\u201d<\/p>\n