Hayne’s on the outer

PERHAPS for the first time in his Parramatta NRL career, Jarryd Hayne’s job at right centre is more important than taking centre stage for the Eels.

Hayne has confirmed he won’t don his old No.1 jersey at Parramatta in Round 1, but stick to the centres as Bevan French covers for the injured Clint Gutherson at fullback.

This is the new Parramatta that coach Brad Arthur has spoken about all pre- season, with Hayne just needing to do his job on the right edge.

For so much of Hayne’s career at the Eels he was almost the be-all and end-all.

His famous 2009 run of form - in which he set up 19 tries and made a ridiculous 34 linebreaks - helped the Eels to their only grand final appearance in the past 15 years.

Hayne’s other Dally M medal-winning year - 2014 was also the only other time the Eels went close to a finals appearance between 2009 and last year’s breakthrough.

But less than two weeks out from his official return to Parramatta colours from the NFL and Gold Coast against Penrith - in what will double as his 200th NRL game - Hayne knows things are different.

“2009 - it was a special year,” Hayne said.