Allegations of internal sabotage have erupted on the Gold Coast, with the club reportedly demanding the NRL investigate former recruitment chief Ezra Howe's dealings with the Perth Bears.
Howe is accused of compiling a player wish list on his work laptop, including captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, and encouraging agents to delay Titans contract talks.
The News Corp report references emails which allegedly show Howe forwarding confidential Gold Coast correspondence and shifting a Bears email from his club account to a personal address.
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The Titans argue that this constitutes deliberate interference, which would breach the NRL's anti-tampering regulations.
The Bears have reportedly denied employing Howe, though he left the Titans shortly after Mal Meninga's appointment as Perth's inaugural coach.
Howe has long been close with Meninga, but both reportedly denied substantive comment as the integrity probe gathers momentum.
The controversy comes as the Bears prepare for their inaugural season in 2027, intensifying scrutiny around how the club will manage the fast-approaching November 1 free agency window.
The NRL has not publicly commented on the specifics of the investigation, but they're expected to review the allegations in a bid to safeguard club integrity.
For the Bears, who have been working to build credibility as the league's newest franchise, the fallout could be particularly damaging as they are an NRL-controlled operation.