Gearing up for his Titans debut: Jarryd Hayne. Credit:Gold Coast Titans Asked whether the Titans would consider taking an exhibition or competition game to the US, Fung told Fairfax Media: "That's obviously something we've thought about. You have to look around and see other leagues which play games all around the world. The NFL play a regular season game in London – we're not talking about a preseason game – this is in season. "The NFL is a sport that is predominantly played in the States, but they still see an opportunity to market themselves internationally. The NBA has done something similar [in London]. Rugby league is a sport that is predominantly played in Australia, but there is that growth potential. "We've got the man to do it, but you also have to think about the logistics and the other players and personnel involved. Having said that you could penetrate that market from so many different points." Taking the NRL outside of Australasia hasn't been a foreign idea in recent years with the Canberra Raiders floating the possibility of taking a competition fixture against Manly to China, the headquarters of major backer Huawei.

Ambitious: Aquis managing director Justin Fung. Credit:Melissa Adams But the idea has never got off the ground with most NRL clubs preferring to farm out regular-season home games interstate and to New Zealand to profit from cashed-up local governments. Hong Kong-based billionaire Tony Fung is no stranger to throwing his support behind Australian sporting franchises with Aquis, his investment and development business whose local base is on the holiday strip, sponsoring rugby union's ACT Brumbies and football's Far North Queensland Heat. Aquis linked with the Titans midway through last season shortly after the club had been burnt in the Daly Cherry-Evans backflip saga. But with Neil Henry's side confounding expectations on the field and signing arguably the most marketable player in the competition, the Titans' association is set to pay for itself exponentially. Aquis is likely to renew its existing deal beyond this season. And Justin Fung said he has marvelled at Hayne's achievement of playing under the bright lights of the NFL having walked away from rugby league at the top of his game.

In the spotlight: Jarryd Hayne has made NFL bigwigs sit up and take notice. Credit:Getty Images "Justin Gatlin, one of the fastest men to ever live ... he couldn't make the NFL," Fung said. "Brock Lesnar is the baddest man on the planet ... he couldn't make an NFL team. So we're talking about a lot more than a guy who is just a physical specimen, we're talking about a guy with temperament and ability. It's so great because that's the type of person we want representing the club. Loading "He's still recognisable everywhere and when I tell my friends Hayne has just signed with our club ... guys in the [United] States and Canada know who he is. What he can do for our club and the brand is really something special." Hayne's signing has seen ticket sales for the Titans' crucial clash with the Warriors on Sunday soar with his $1.2 million-a-season two-year deal set to pay for itself in the next 12 months. "The dream was always for me to see Jarryd wear a Titans jersey," Fung said. "[But] it did seem like a pipe dream. We thought a lot of teams would be able to match offers and it looked like a pipe dream at the time. But now it's come to fruition it's so exciting."