Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has launched an extraordinary attack on his club’s management, believing others need to take responsibility for their struggles rather than just the coach.
Fa’asuamaleaui said he was stunned by the Titans’ decision to sack Des Hasler with a season left to run on his contract.
The decision to part ways with Hasler comes with the Titans languishing in last position on the ladder this season.
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The Titans also finished 14th last year in Hasler’s first season at the club.
Hasler will coach the Titans in their final two games of the season against the Dolphins and Wests Tigers before cutting ties with the club.
“It was a bit of a shock. I know the results haven’t gone the way they have gone this year, but whenever you hear that your coach has been sacked, it does hurt,” the skipper told reporters on Wednesday.
“It’s my second time now I’ve been through that (a coach being sacked). It’s very upsetting.
“You see the work that Des does behind the scenes and how much he really does care.
“The results haven’t been there and that’s what comes with the game – how ruthless it is.”
The 25-year-old felt the only two people at the club who had to take “accountability” were Justin Holbrook, who was Hasler’s predecessor, and Hasler himself.
“Someone’s got to be held accountable, but talking about accountability, both times our coaches are the only one that’s been kept accountable and there’s got to be more than that,” he added.
“We’ve got to look at everything for us going forward.
“We’ve got to look and question everything. That we’re making the right decisions and we’re looking at everyone.
“I’m not saying there needs to be changes, but both times there’s been two people kept accountable and no one else.
“You don’t want to get too deep into that. It’s just up in my head.
“You’ve got to look at everything because if you want to move forward and get better, we’ve got to question everything and make sure that we’ve got the right people in place.”
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Fa’asuamaleaui said Titans players weren’t immune from scrutiny either.
“I said everyone from players to the top and bottom,” he said.
“Everyone needs to be looked at and made sure that they’re held to account and really asked the right questions of why they’re here.
“That’s players, myself, everyone included at this club.
“There’s been two people kept accountable, but no one else.”
