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The Parramatta Eels remain close to Jarryd Hayne’s heart as he takes the next step on his journey to crack the NFL.
Hayne announced on Tuesday that he had taken up a rookie contract with the San Francisco 49ers, three days out from the Eels’ 2015 NRL season opener against Manly.
New Eels back-rower Anthony Watmough has done plenty to talk up the clash with his old club, but most of the interest will be how Parramatta will fare in their first outing since Hayne quit the NRL in October.
Hayne is hoping to be there at Parramatta Stadium.
“If I get an invite,” he said.
“I have been in regular contact with all the boys and I wish them all the best for this year.
“They have had a great preseason and things will go very well for them.”
Will Hopoate will fill Hayne’s fullback spot in coach Brad Arthur’s new look side.
Arthur managed to get the best out of Hayne in 2014, in a year the Eels fell agonisingly short of the finals, missing out on percentage.
The challenge now for Parramatta is to do even better without the former representative superstar.
It was Arthur and Eels chief executive Scott Seward who released Hayne from his contract to allow him to chase his NFL dream.
“I want to thank Parramatta; Brad and Scott have been so understanding about this journey,” Hayne said.
“My teammates as well, to understand what I wanted to do, they have been so supportive.
“And especially the fans, I have so many great memories of Parramatta and I know it was as hard for them as it was for me (to leave).”
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