A two-code bidding war for Jarryd Hayne appears likely after his bold NFL experiment came to a sudden halt.
Hayne has been closely linked to an NRL return with the Sydney Roosters for the past six months, while Parramatta claimed a lifetime deal with the former Test rugby league star when he left the club to pursue American football in November 2014.
The Australian Rugby Union is also believed to be interested in Hayne at a time when major drawcard Kurtley Beale is set to join the exodus of Wallabies to rich northern hemisphere clubs.
More:
» Is Jarryd Hayne elgible for the Olympic Games?
» Jarryd Hayne retires from NFL – wants to play Olympic Sevens
» Jarryd Hayne has ‘no plans’ post-Olympics
» INGS: Hayne’s Olympic dream may be over before it began
However 28-year-old Hayne’s short-term plan on leaving the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers to seek a Rio Olympic berth with rugby sevens gold medal favourites Fiji could end that as it seems it would make him ineligible for the Wallabies.
World Rugby’s eligibility rule 8.12 states: “Once the Player has represented the Union of which he is a national, in an Olympic Event, he shall thereafter be tied to that Union for all forms of the Game and in all events.”
While Australian Super Rugby franchises would love to sign him, they likely couldn’t afford him without an ARU top up that probably wouldn’t be forthcoming in that case.
However that still leaves the cashed-up rugby clubs in France, England and Japan to make bids for Hayne’s services.
Hayne’s manager Wayne Beavis insisted on Monday Hayne had not considered his options beyond the Rio Olympics.
“We haven’t had a chance to talk about Plan B and I’m sure there will be no lack of opportunities for him should be come back to Australia and want to play rugby league again or rugby union,” Beavis told Triple M.
The experienced agent also dodged questions on whether Roosters supremo Nick Politis had made contact since the announcement.
Hayne himself laughed off speculation about his career future.
Responding to Nine Network claims that he would sign with the Roosters in 2017, Hayne tweeted: “You an (sic) your mates been thinking that for 14 months”.
When prodded further on whether the reports were correct, Hayne replied: “Why don’t you ask your mate @BuzzRothfield said I would do it 6 months ago.”
The NRL-turned-NFL-turned-Olympic hopeful then joked that a stint in soccer’s A-League could be his next option.
Hayne told Triple M in February that if he ever made a return to the NRL, he would want it to be with the Eels.
“Like I always said, if I ever came back I’d go to Parra if they wanted me,” he said.
“That was always something I said from the start. It’s funny when you see media outlets say I’m doing this and I’m doing that.”
Given the Eels’ well-publicised salary cap woes that option may prove to be a stretch.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Friday night’s clash between Parramatta and the Dolphins is likely to be a hot one – and not just because the game is being…
Parramatta eased the pressure on coach Brad Arthur with an upset 27-20 win over the Cowboys at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night despite an…
Josh Schuster's days at Manly could be numbered after the big-money second-rower was granted permission to open negotiations with NRL rivals. Just 10 months…
The Raiders were given a trademark “Sticky spray” after their pathetic collapse against Cronulla last Sunday. Seven days later they did coach Ricky Stuart…
Playing talent is always important, yet creating a winning culture even more so.
NRL football boss Graham Annesley has hit back at frustrations over the obstruction rule, saying the current interpretation was designed to prevent milking for…
