NRL spotlight on Titans over possible biosecurity breaches

The NRL is investigating claims Kevin Proctor and three Titans teammates breached the biosecurity restrictions which were brought in after this week's COVID-19 lockdown in South-East Queensland.

Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook on Friday confirmed the club was working with the NRL on whether Proctor and three teammates were in a Sydney pub without a mask.

The Titans relocated to Sydney during the week to prepare for Saturday night's clash with Canberra which is now the second match of the Kogarah double-header after originally being slated to be played on the Gold Coast.

Holbrook said the players were mainly in the outdoor area of a pub.

"The club is aware of it and I’ll let them deal with it. They are things we need to stay on top of and be a bit more organised in that area," he said.

"But that’s the environment we’re in and it’s always changing. We’ve got to make sure we adapt as quick as we can.

"We definitely don’t do anything intentionally, that’s for sure. We all know with COVID-19 things change all the time and we’ve got to change with it. It’s important we get it right."

Wests Tigers centre James Roberts and Eels utility Will Smith will be free to play this weekend despite NRL officials investigating possible biosecurity breaches after the pair attended Wednesday night's Tim Tszyu v Dennis Hogan fight in Newcastle.

Roberts and Smith may face sanctions from the league but any punishment will be handed down after round four.

The NRL emailed clubs on Wednesday afternoon advising that players were not permitted to attend the bout after enacting level-two protocols earlier in the week.

Rabbitohs stars Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell were also at the fight at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre but attended with NRL approval.

The Titans will wait for further instructions regarding the club's next steps after their round four game was shifted to CBUS Super Stadium to Kogarah earlier this week.

Holbrook's side is due to host the Knights at home in round five but are in the unknown amid the coronavirus outbreak in south-east Queensland.  

"It's like playing an away game for us so it's no real big drama and we're looking forward to playing tomorrow," he said.

"You don't want to lose a home game, that's not ideal, but you just get on with it."

After putting Queensland rivals the Broncos and Cowboys to the sword in recent weeks, Holbrook's men face a much tougher task at topping the Raiders in Kogarah.

"It is a big test," Holbrook said.

"I think that's good for us and we're ready for that after a couple of good wins we have to play better tomorrow [Saturday]."

Should the Titans win after a week of distraction, Holbrook believes their credibility stakes in the Telstra Premiership will lift a notch.

"We're starting to get a bit [of credibility] and we've got to keep getting more of it," he said.

"We're all working hard together and that's the key. It's not just myself, it's the coaching staff, everyone in the office and the playing group – they're the main ones."

The Titans were due to face former captain Ryan James on home turf but will now host the Raiders recruit on neutral ground.

"I think it's been great for him," Holbrook said of James' move.

"He's had two tough years not being able to play and probably needed a fresh start.

"He'd been at our club for a long time and when we hadn't had a lot of success so it's good for him to go to a new environment and good for us to bring fresh players in who hadn't been a part of it for so long as well. It's worked for both parties."