Eels boss Bernie silent on Hayne

PARRAMATTA chief executive Bernie Gurr has not ruled out Jarryd Hayne returning to the NRL club from the Gold Coast next season.

Titans star Hayne this month denied rumours he’s pushing for a release from the final year of his deal to join his former club.

Gurr was given the opportunity to shut down speculation at a sponsorship announcement yesterday but said: “We don’t discuss our recruitment strategy publicly. This is not the forum today.”

The position represents a change of tack for Gurr.

In May, he spoke openly about the club’s desire to lure Titans hooker Nathan Peats back to the Eels, also revealing then there had been no approach from Hayne.

The Eels have been discouraged to recruit Hayne, with club great Peter Sterling urging the semi-finalists to instead retain their faith in fullback prospects Clint Gutherson and Bevan French.

Both players were reluctant to weigh into Hayne’s possible arrival given his contract with the Gold Coast.

French said he did not believe Hayne was required for premiership success.