League: Jarryd Hayne to play at NRL Auckland Nines

Jarryd Hayne of the Titans. Photo / Getty

Jarryd Hayne will spearhead the Gold Coast's NRL Auckland Nines campaign in his tournament debut next month.

The fullback headlines a 19-strong Titans squad named on Monday for the Nines that includes comeback half Kane Elgey and recently re-signed prop Ryan James.

But young gun No.7 Ashley Taylor and hooker Nathan Peats have been rested ahead of the NRL All Stars clash.

Hayne - a Nines ambassador - joins Elgey at the February 4-5 event after the halfback recovered from the knee injury that ruled him out of the 2016 NRL season.

Damaging front-rower James will also feature after re-signing with the Titans for a further three years earlier this month.

Other Titans regulars named were Anthony Don, ex-Queensland back-rower Chris McQueen, Leivaha Pulu and Tyrone Roberts.

The Nines squad also includes journeyman winger Daniel Vidot - who will make his Titans debut in Auckland - as well as Under 20s players Alexander Brimson and Tyronne Roberts-Davis.

The Titans are backing themselves to at least repeat last year's Nines semi-final berth despite being without big name signings Kiwi forward Kevin Proctor and English international Dan Sarginson as well as centre Konrad Hurrell.

Gold Coast open the Nines against NRL defending champions Cronulla and also play pool games against Canterbury and Penrith.

- AAP