WHY RIVALS WON’T TOUCH FULLBACK
WHO needs Jarryd Hayne?
That was the message from Parramatta yesterday.
Hayne’s future at Gold Coast is under a cloud following his public falling out with coach Neil Henry, however the NSW star’s options appear to be limited for 2018.
Yesterday he entered into crisis talks with Henry to repair their frayed relationship.
It seems untenable that both will remain at the NRL club after Hayne said he would leave if Henry didn’t want him there and would explore his options with his manager.
Reports emerged following the three-hour meeting that Henry was set to be punted, with Thursday’s clash against the Eels expected to be the coach’s final at the helm of the Gold Coast franchise.
If the Hayne Plane was to still take off following the messy affair, the Eels seem a natural fit given he began his career there and guided them to the 2009 grand final.
Hayne was last year in deep in discussions about returning to the Eels after his stint in Fijian Rugby Sevens however it’s understood club officials have now closed the door on him.
Tellingly, several players yesterday declined to endorse him playing for the club again and coldly reacted to the suggestion he could make a comeback to Sydney’s west.
When asked if he would like to play with Hayne again, Corey Norman said: “I don’t think about that stuff. If it did happen, it would be for Brad (Arthur, coach) and the board.
“I’m happy with the team we’ve got here and I’m focused on the team we’ve got here.”
Like all other clubs in the competition, the Eels don’t know if they have the salary cap space for 2018 to accommodate Hayne.
As well, they have two topclass fullbacks in their ranks in Clint Gutherson and Bevan French.
“I don’t know. I think Bevan’s doing a pretty good job for us so that’s all I’ll say about that,” hooker Cameron King said.
The Eels host the Titans on Thursday night in what is scheduled to be Hayne’s first meeting against his old club since returning to the NRL this time last year.
But he is battling injury after leaving the ground in a moon boot following the weekend’s loss to St George Illawarra.
French however is expected to take the field for the Eels after missing their loss to Newcastle due to a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Manly coach Trent Barrett will demand a much needed 80 minute performance from his erratic side, after they suffered yet another defensive meltdown.
After a tough fortnight, the Sea Eagles found themselves 18-4 down against high-flying Roosters last week, but rattled off 32 unanswered points.
“We need to put 80 minute performances together,” Barrett said.