Showman v tradesman: Learning Hau to strike the perfect balance

Arama Hau says he's trying to strike the balance between showman and tradesman as he looks to become a consistent performer for the Titans.

The 21-year-old can't wait to match motors with the Broncos after he repaid coach Josh Hannay's faith with two tries, 163 run metres and eight tackle breaks in a match-winning effort against the Dragons.

Hau said it was “surreal” to come from being a local junior with the Nerang Roosters to having a stadium of fans screaming his name as he ran 50 metres to seal the Titans' first victory of the season.

“It’s surreal, I’m pinching myself every day doing something that I love and to get the win in front of everyone and show the Gold Coast what we’ve been working on is good,” he said.

Hau couldn’t quite help bring out some of his trademark confident personality in the moment, showboating to the crowd before he’d even crossed the try line.

It was a bit arrogant. My old man was telling me just put the ball down next time, celebrate after, but it was just too much emotion

Arama Hau

Hau’s impressive opening month seemed a world away as recently as January, with Hannay admitting the former Australian Schoolboys selection was not initially in his calculations for a starting spot.

But Hannay was thrilled to see the rewards coming after the emerging forward’s commitment to being the 80-minute back-rower he needed, challenging him to keep it up week-on-week.

“There was probably a little bit of immaturity about Arama and he didn’t take his craft seriously enough, and we've had those conversations, so that’s been a work-on for him and it will continue to be," Hannay said.

“What he’s done is put his head down… and we’re seeing the rewards.

“Now the challenge for him will be, now it’s been a four-week block, is to put a season together.”

Hau, who is of Tongan and Maori descent, said his battle was stopping his mind from wandering and keeping his attention on the repeat efforts he needed to sustain over 80 minutes to do his job for the team.

“I think I play around too much sometimes and I get a bit in trouble for it, but I’m trying to find the balance of professionalism and when to have a laugh,” he said.

“I go in and out of games sometimes and in an out of sessions. My mind can go other places and I look like a bit of an idiot, so (Hannay) is just trying to keep that professionalism in me.”