NRL boss Dave Smith attempted to use his new marquee player discretion to keep US-bound Jarryd Hayne in rugby league.
But the Parramatta superstar told him he was chasing a dream rather than money in attempting to break into the NFL.
Smith spoke to Hayne ahead of the Australian and NSW star’s stunning announcement on Wednesday he was leaving the NRL to follow his dream of becoming an NFL player.
“This is one of those clear cut cases where I would have been happy to use my marquee player discretion to try to keep Jarryd in the NRL,” Smith said in a statement.
“In fact, I was in contact with Jarryd, his manager and the Eels management last night and this morning to see if there was anything we could do to keep him in the game.
“But Jarryd has a dream and he deserves the chance to pursue that dream.
“He is a gifted athlete who has been a wonderful asset for rugby league and we wish him well in his next challenge.”
Following the NRL’s inability to seal the deal for Israel Folau to return to rugby league after his AFL stint and concern over a player drain to rugby union led by Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess, Smith was granted discretionary powers to top up wages bills to keep elite players in the code.
Smith said there would be no barriers to Hayne’s return to the NRL, if his NFL bid doesn’t work out.
And he put on a brave face about the loss of three such high profile stars as Hayne, Williams and Burgess following the 2014 season.
“I have no doubt new stars will come through the ranks to replace those leaving the game,” Smith said.
“One of the great things about the NRL is that there is always exciting new talent coming through the ranks to become the superstars of the future.”
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