Hayne accused again of faking injury in Eels loss to Storm

 

Roar Pro

By The Roar, 24 Sep 2007 The Roar is a Roar Pro

• Tweet this
• Email to friend

1 Have your say

Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne has been accused of faking injury during Melbourne’s 26-10 preliminary final win at Telstra Dome on Sunday.

After being hit flush on the side of the head by a swinging arm from Storm interchange forward Jeremy Smith in the 63rd minute, a tackle which was subsequently put on report, Hayne remained on the turf trying to recover.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy says he would be concerned if Hayne had taken a dive, but stopped short of accusing the Parramatta fullback of feigning injury to milk a penalty.

“He got up and played on there, but at the end of the day I don’t know how hurt he was,” Bellamy said.

“If he wasn’t hurt, hopefully that doesn’t happen too much in our game.

“It’s not good for our game but he could have been hurt, I’m not saying that he wasn’t.”

Hayne was accused by Broncos coach Wayne Bennett in July of taking a dive. Storm players, however, didn’t hold back in accusing the State of Origin winger of dubious conduct.

“I just think it’s a low act, laying down when he wasn’t even hurt,” Smith told the Herald Sun. Smith also said some of his team-mates saw Hayne wink after he got to his feet to play the ball.

“I didn’t see (the wink). A lot of the boys said they saw it. I’m not worried about it. I don’t think there was much in it.

“I was a bit surprised. When he went down, I knew I didn’t get him good. I knew he was laying down.”

Storm second-rower Clint Newton didn’t hold back either, saying the incident was “a pretty piss poor performance from Jarryd Hayne”.

“To lay down like he did and then get up and wink, I don’t think that’s in the spirit of the game.

“I know Michael Hagan wouldn’t coach that, so that just comes back to the player. I don’t think that’s what footy’s about.”

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.