Titans coach Des Hasler clashes with reporter in explosive exchange over David Fifita’s future

Gold Coast coach Des Hasley has refused to answer questions about David Fifita’s future following the Titans 32-18 loss to the Warriors on Saturday night.

It’s been widely reported the Titans gave the 25-year-old’s management permission to source offers elsewhere for next year, despite not being off contract until the end of 2026.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Des Hasler refuses to answer David Fifita question.

It has been a tough year for Fifita, who won’t play again this season after recently having his third ankle surgery.

He has been limited to just nine games and there is a sense he would benefit from a change after spending five up-and-down seasons at the Titans.

But Hasler, who also dodged questions at his media conference on Friday, was in no mood to discuss the topic after his side’s loss and what followed was a heated exchange between reporter and coach.

Reporter: “Des, can you explain to us the situation with David Fifita and his future?”

Hasler: “Well, David at the moment is making his way back, as you know, from ankle surgery. So he will come back from that and he will go into rehab. He’s signed for next year. So he’s signed for ‘26.”

Reporter: “Have you given him permission to seek interest from other clubs?”

Hasler: “He’s signed for ‘26.”

Reporter repeats: “Have you given him permission to seek interest from other clubs?”

Hasler: “He’s signed for ‘26.”

Reporter: “You’re not answering the question, Des.”

Hasler: “I’m not going to answer it.”

Reporter: “It’s an important issue at the club.”

Hasler: “No, it’s not.”

Reporter: “You can’t keep avoiding everything.”

Hasler: “I’m not going to answer it. We don’t discuss retention on this platform.”

Reporter: “Yeah, but that’s just a cop out.”

Hasler: “No, it’s not.”

The reporter then said the crowd situation was “embarrassing”.

“Mate, have a look at the crowd out there tonight. They’re all Warriors fans. It’s embarrassing,” he said.

Another reporter then asked a question about South Sydney’s interest after Wayne Bennett publicly confirmed they would try and sign Fifita.

But Hasler again played a straight bat before ending the three-minute press conference ended.

“We’re going to get him back on the field, do his rehab. He’s signed here for ‘26,” Hasler said.

Souths coach Wayne Bennett gave Fifita his NRL debut in 2018 when he announced himself as a player of immense talent and destructive abilities in 11 first-grade games.

Now the master coach is keen to reunite with Fifita and get the best out of a player who has not shown his full potential, despite playing eight State of Origin games for Queensland and four Tests for Tonga.

“We are interested in David here at South Sydney, so we will be talking to his management and the Titans,” Bennett told AAP.

“We appreciate the way they have handled themselves, and we have handled ourselves well. Now we will try and see if we can get a deal done.

“I gave him his debut at the Broncos when he was 18 after he had just played under-18s that year. David is just a rare talent. We haven’t seen the best of him yet.”

The Titans would likely need to tip in some of Fifita’s $900,000-plus salary for next season, but that bridge will be crossed when the two clubs sit down at the negotiating table.

The ball is now in the Fifita camp’s court as he is within his rights to stay for next year and fight his way back to top form at the Titans, if that is what he wants to do.

- With AAP