Parramatta co-captain Jarryd Hayne has conceded morale is low at the struggling NRL club after a dozen players were told they’re not wanted next season.
Hours before State of Origin I in Sydney on Wednesday night, Eels forwards Ben Smith, Matt Keating and co-captain Reni Maitua were amongst those told to look for a new club.
Hayne was blunt when asked on Thursday for his reaction to coach Ricky Stuart’s clean-out when he fronted a club media conference a day after playing a lead role in NSW’s game one victory over Queensland.
“Yeah, the highest high and the lowest low,” said Hayne.
“To hear what happened yesterday and how it happened was very disappointing and something I was taken aback by when I got told the way it went down.
“To have mates and teammates put on show like that was disappointing.”
Hayne was glum when asked whether morale was low on the eve of Friday’s clash at Parramatta Stadium with the high-flying Sydney Roosters, who trounced the Eels 50-0 in round four.
“Oh definitely,” said the fullback.
“You know, the way it happened yesterday and expecting to play on Friday night. It’ll be tougher for them than it is for me.”
Hayne agreed that the public stance by Eels management, who issued a strongly worded statement about player accountability, was humiliating for the players affected though the club did not name them.
Stuart’s decision on his playing roster came with the club second-last on the ladder after 11 rounds, having been on the end of some hidings in 2013 a season after collecting the wooden spoon.
“I understand changes need to be made and not getting results comes consequences,” he said.
“I understand where Ricky is coming from.
“It’s not a normal job … there’s a lot of emotion. (But) especially for the boys that have been around here for a while, to see them get told the way they did, from what I’m hearing from the boys I’m disappointed.”
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