Eels' Sandow learns the hard way

Enigmatic Parramatta playmaker Chris Sandow has learnt the hard way that talent alone is not enough to make it in the NRL, says teammate Jarryd Hayne.

Sandow has been a revelation in wins over Penrith and Brisbane since he returned from a nine-month exile with Wentworthville in the NSW Cup in round four.

The 25-year-old earned man of the match honours in the Eels’ upset win over the Broncos last weekend and Hayne says Sandow has worked as hard as ever to get back to first grade.

“We always knew Chrisy had the talent it was about him going away, working hard and fixing up key areas of his game,” Hayne said.

“He has done that and he never dropped his head once.

“He worked that extra bit harder than he was used to and that was good for him.

“He has had everything handed to him because of his talent and for the first time in his career he had to work hard.

“It didn’t matter how gifted he was, he had to work hard. He has done that and that is why he is in the team.”

After two troubled seasons, Hayne said Sandow can be a key player for an improving Eels side looking to put three years of misery behind them.

“He brings a lot of confidence, an attacking spark, and definitely an X factor for us,” Hayne said.

“He has been in good form, hopefully he can keep it up.

“Both games he has been back, he has been instrumental.

“So for him it is about being consistent which we know he is capable of.”