I was sceptical when I heard Hayne would be playing five-eighth, opposite arguably the world’s best in Benji Marshall last week.
Ricky Stuart might have said Hayne was more suited to the five-eighth position rather than fullback, and these sentiments might have been shared by Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns, but after the 2009 five-eighth experiment fell in a heap, I still had my doubts.
Well, Hayne proved all the doubters wrong.
Against Wests Tigers, Hayne was more than impressive in the No. 6.
Throughout the game, he displayed the strength, speed and skill on the line that everyone knew he had in him. His kicks in play were clever as well as crafty.
His passing was pinpoint and intelligent.
He made and took more tackles than he was probably used to, but did not succumb to the added workload and set up a handful of tries in their 22-6 victory over the struggling Tigers.
Eels players and the media tipped Hayne to be given another crack in the halves against the Panthers. Yet Kearney has put Hayne down as the fullback for this weekend, and once again Parramatta fans will be deprived of seeing Hayne in the jersey number he shines so brightly in.
Sure, he’s still playing in the team, but it’s not where he belongs.
It’d be like putting Harry Kewell in goal, or having Jonathan Brown as a half-back flanker.
He’s been widely criticised at times for not getting involved for long periods in a game. At five eighth, he wouldn’t have that choice to sit back.
Hayne is a versatile player perfectly capable of playing fullback, five-eighth, wing, and centre. But there is a consensus among NRL watchers that more time with the ball could take his talent to an all new level.
And five-eighth is the position to make it happen.
To be fair, with an abundance of halves options, it’s no easy task for Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney right now.
Halfback Jeff Robson will return for the Eels this weekend, overcoming a hamstring injury which saw him omitted from the side, with Casey McGuire returning to the five-eighth spot.
While Robson will be heading to the Sharks next season, and McGuire’s one-year contract will be up (though he’s hopeful of staying with the Eels), the club has snapped up the signatures of Souths playmaker Chris Sandow and Bulldog and New Zealand international Ben Roberts for the 2012 season.
Coming back from a two-year suspension Reni Maitua also had a successful run at five-eighth for Parramatta a few weeks back against Brisbane. And let’s not forget the Eels still have within their ranks the 2009 wonder kid Daniel Mortimer, who when in form is a fine, fine talent.
So where does that leave Hayne?
Held back is where it leaves him.
Hayne is signed at the Eels until 2013, and as much as I like a one club player, you have to wonder if Hayne is at all tempted to explore his options at other clubs.
Some have said he’s not ready for the five-eighth position; others say he’s too young. Perhaps Hayne himself doesn’t want it just yet either?
We’ve frequently heard the phrase in the media that fullback is Hayne’s “preferred position” but he finds himself in the ruck most games anyway. Maybe he’s just not ready to carry the weight of responsibility the No. 6 jersey holds?
Kearney has not completely ignored Hayne’s talent, with the coach again preparing the Origin superstar to be second receiver against Penrith.
Nevertheless, the message I’m getting from Eels fans, and NRL supporters in general, is that Hayne should be at five-eighth in a regular capacity. His stint at it in 2009 may have failed, but he is such a bigger and better player now.
It’s the right time for him to make the change, step up and be all he can be.
If he’s not going to get that opportunity at Parramatta, then maybe he should consider moving on. Parramatta has an ace card every other NRL club would kill for, yet they’re not unleashing its full potential.
Eels hooker Matt Keating told a press conference last week that: “If he’s at one or he’s at six, it doesn’t really matter. He’s good to have in your team.”
This may be true. But it still makes you think, “What if?”
Mark
Guest
The old adage says "Do what your opponent wants you to do the least". I think just about every opposition coach would prefer to see Hayne at full back than at five eighth, which to me, is the deciding factor. He should play there and be involved as often as possible. Sandow will be at half back. What to do about Ben Roberts? He is too good and takes up too much cash under the salary cap when there are other holes to fill to have him come off the bench, the Eels need to get creative.
Toa
Guest
Hayne's ability outweighs any fullback in this competition, his skill sets are adaptable to any position. Billy's a fullback & it stops there, for mine his attack in recent times has been superb at 28yrs is showing some form of decent ball playing skills. Every now & then mistakes creep into his game and for that matter has a history of it. Hayne's trouble is similar to luke lewis both have power,ball playing and running games the problem is when do you play them? In my opinion Lewis is 13 Haynsie a 6 both are defensively sound and are capable of ripping it up on any given weekend. For any roster it is important to strive for consistently furthermore creating the chemistry thats best suited for the team. I would imagine a high % of current & past nrl players were position by default due to availability,physical growth and team dynamics.Its athletes like Haynsie, Lewis, Wing and Teo provide coaches versatilely in order to cover deficiencies, depending on the individual's mental status does he play for the himself, fans, stats, media or the team?
Josh Dutton
Roar Rookie
Great read. Can't say I agree though, Mel. He's a very gifted player and definitely creates great opportunities for his teammates but I don't think he's a five-eighth; he played there in 2009 and was quite average. It's also an idea that has been tried before with Greg Inglis and to an extent Mark Gasnier i.e. getting a powerful, ball-running back and playing him closer to the action so he gets the ball more. In hindsight it's a great idea but in practice it isn't always because it means he'll have less time and space to attack. He's better at fullback because it gives him the space to play off his play-makers (which the Eels have sorely lacked for a decade or so now- they badly need a halfback) who can create the space for him and give him the time he needs to attack. It also means he'll be targeted more (keep in mind Greg Inglis got absolutely smashed when he started out at five-eighth). If anything, he really needs an adjustment in attitude because it seems as though he struggles to play consistently well.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Yes Chuck! Luke Burt is so much more solid out the back. I swear I had that somewhere in the article.... Hmm guess I must've deleted it when editing. But definitely with you on that Chuck. You ask me Burt is a little underrated. Maybe because of his age? I'm not sure, but he's solid week by week for his club (on wing or at fullback), like Minichiello for Roosters.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Hahaha...NOT FUNNY. I cried after that game. lol
Chuck
Guest
What about the fact the Luke burt is a better fullback then hayne! Hayne doesn't back up the ball runners in the middle of the park whereas burty is always poking around looking for second phase play. Parra rely a lot of offloads to make line breaks rather then clever plays in the halves, and burt supports that style. It definitely adds another dimension to parras attack and takes the pressure of hayne trying to spark something every set
Darren
Guest
"It’d be like putting Harry Kewell in goal" Didn't you watch the World Cup Match against Ghana?
Ralfy
Guest
Five-eighths can't clock off after 20 mins the way Hayne does at fullback. When he matures a bit then they should think about it seriously. Billy Slater would make an excellent no. 6 as well when he slows down in his later years. The brain will certainly more than make up for what the legs will be lacking.
The Barry
Roar Guru
The jury's definitely still out. One game doesn't make him a success and as discussed above there are a few shortcomings to his game. I think fullback suits his tendency to drift in and out of games and it remains to be seen if he will be more focused at 6 or continue to drift which is a much bigger liability for his team. Maybe it's chicken and egg - do you move him to 6 to make him more consistent or wait for consistency before you move him. I'd probably go the latter.
Johnno
Guest
I agre with you to, if parramatta decide to be flexible and open minded, and give more touch of the football at parra it might be a positive move for parra And for the hayne Train. 1 thing at least for what it is worht in my opinion for the Hayne train and Parra thats changed since his last rendevue at 5/8 is, he is still young but a little older and more mature, and he knows his game inside out now, and having a new coach with differen tactics, he could help the group more at Parra. Becoz i remember 2009 season when parra had that run under the Hayne train it was to be honest was just about the most excting 10-12 weeks of rugby league i have seen, in terms of maintiang sustained interest and energy for a long period of time, it captured the imagination of not just rugby league fans but the whole city. The hype for the last 2 matches of the season major semi final V bulldogs, and grand final , was all about the Hayne train it was a great athmposphere he captured the imagination of the sydney public. SO he is a top class talent no doubt. So he just might be excitement spark parra need to kick start there 2011 season. ANd he is young so they could if it works it will be good for parra.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Abosultely! It would be nice to see him have a go at an in form team to see how he measures up, for sure. But he's probably not going to get many of those opportunities it seems.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Yeah I saw that sledgeross. But he'll get those finer points down if thrust into the position full time. At the moment there's no pressure on him to because you're probably right, Robson and McGuire haven't been doing such a bad job. I want to see him challenged I suppose.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
You're right oikee. But the greats had those few starter years where they eased into the role, before they reached that peak at 25-27. That's why Hayne (at 23) needs to make the move now if he is going to live up to the pundits who say he could be one of the greatest should he approach it head on. 23 might seem young, but in NRL, for a guy who debuted at 18 years old, he's got five years under his belt. He's approaching the second half of his career and he needs to have a look at what type of player he wants to be in five years time. At fullback he can be a good player, but at five-eighth he can be a great player. Question is, does he want it?
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Yep, it could be just the shake up the Eels need. But then, incoming Sandow and Roberts just doesn't leave a lot of room for a shake up!
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Thanks for your comment Johnno. I agree with you that there needs to be a cohesive group, a team of players each doing their role and doing it successfully. But in Hayne's case, fullback might be Hayne's preferred position but there are still some question marks over his "effectiveness" in that role and when we see his impact at five-eighth, its just frustrating seeing him unable to have a proper go at that position.
Al from ctown
Guest
I agree that hayne is a great player and probably doesn't get as much time with the ball as he should, but I really don't think that anyone having a good game against the tigers last week should get a tick against their names... The tigers were woeful and were pretty much their own worst enemy... The eels just played well enough... I honestly believe most other teams that weekend would have racked up 50 against them as much as it hurts to say... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Mark Young
Roar Guru
Well said Melanie. As he matures as a player and a man he will be a wonderful 5/8. It's the old adage, you wants the most talented guys with their hands on the ball as much as possible. (Although by that logic Billy Slater needs to play Hooker, but you get my point!)
Boz
Guest
I think Ray Warren hit the nail on the head when he alluded to the fact that when Hayne plays five-eighth, it forces him to remain focussed on the game much more, compared to fullback, where he tends to zone out at times. At fullback he can get too caught up in watching the play, rather than being involved in the play.
turbodewd
Guest
Hayne's defence is not fullback worthy in my opinion. He is often out of position and simply doesnt hold up ball carriers in-goal like Billy Slater (who is the best fullback Ive ever seen). I would go as far as saying Hayne's defense is a liability at fullback which is crazy considering how physically gifted he is - fast, agile and strong.
mushi
Roar Guru
I think we need more than a couple of games before you can call it a success (I remember the wallabies hailing Tim Horan as the fly half to end all fly halves after one game…) But given their current plight they should be willing to give it a go and see if it works for next year.