RCG move leads to exit as Arthur pulls off raid

Reagan Campbell-Gillard's arrival at the Gold Coast Titans has led to the departure of Keenan Palasia as the former Broncos prop heads to the Super League. The Samoan international will join forces with former Eels coach Brad Arthur at Leeds Rhinos on a two-year deal. "Keenan arrives with a lot of experience of playing in the NRL, with nearly 70 games under his belt, and I think he will complement the options we already have in our forward pack," Arthur said in a statement. "Having spoken to him, I know he is excited about starting his new life in England with the Rhinos and I think he will become a firm fan favourite with his style of play." Palasia played 53 matches at the Broncos, including the 2023 grand final defeat to Penrith. He featured in 15 matches for the Titans but appears to have been deemed surplus to requirements by coach Des Hasler. The Titans agreed to release Palasia from the final year of his contract so he could head to AMT Headingley immediately. "I'm excited for a fresh start and to begin my next journey in a new country but most of all, I am looking forward to wearing the Rhinos jersey," Palasia said. The prop could feature in England in November if selected for Samoa's Test series against England.

'Dead wood' that needs to go in Hasler's 'hard reset'

After finishing a disappointing 14th last season with just nine wins, the Titans desperately need a hard reset for 2024 - but it hasn't been forthcoming.The club hasn't made a significant signing for the new season, with fringe Broncos forward Keenan Palasia the lone new face to date.Titans officials are clearly banking on the wizardry of veteran coach Des Hasler to get them back into finals footy - but they need to realise a coach is only as good as his cattle.Hasler has one ace up his sleeve as he prepares for his new challenge - somehow the Titans managed the least errors in the NRL last season.Yet despite that impressive show of discipline, they struggled scoring points with the halves combination of Tanah Boyd and Kieran Foran set to come under Hasler's microscope.The hooking spot has also proved a problem, leaving the Titans with a less-than-convincing spine as they prepare for 2024.The Titans are a club bristling with attacking talent - David Fifita, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Brian Kelly all have points in them and some better direction from the halves could see the club win more games.If they can clear some dead wood and pick up a couple of useful signings before March, they could be a surprise packet.

Bronco Palasia signs with NRL's Titans

Brisbane forward Keenan Palasia has signed a two-year contract with Gold Coast that will begin in 2024.Palasia had a breakout season in 2022, playing 22 of a possible 24 games as the Broncos narrowly missed out on a return to the finals.The 25-year-old mostly came off the bench and laid the ninth-most tackles of any Bronco this season from an average of 40 minutes of game time.He made his international debut for Samoa in the mid-season Test window but missed out on selection in the eventual runners-up's World Cup squad.Palasia joins a Gold Coast middle rotation that will include Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Moeaki Fotuaika and Isaac Liu in 2024."We're excited to have Keenan join us and we know, given the way he plays the game, that he will fit in with our forward pack," Titans coach Justin Holbrook said."He's a player that is able to play big minutes and has shown his versatility in the games he has played so far."Keenan has had a good taste of NRL football already, but we're confident that he will continue to develop his game and we're thrilled that he will be doing that with us at the Titans."Holbrook said Palasia's status as a local product had helped motivate the club to sign him.Palasia was raised on the Gold Coast and attended famed rugby league nursery Palm Beach Currumbin High School, which has produced talents such as Jahrome Hughes, Ben Hannant and Cody Walker."(Palasia) is keen to come home to the Gold Coast and to represent the region which is something I like," Holbrook said.