Bulldogs can't match Inglis: Hayne

Dally M co-winner Jarryd Hayne believes his rival for the vacant Australian No.1 jersey Greg Inglis is set to light up Sunday’s NRL grand final.

South Sydney’s superstar fullback has been in sparkling form over the finals series and Hayne was on Wednesday night effusive in his praise of the Queenslander in the lead-up to the competition decider at ANZ Stadium.

Canterbury simply don’t have a player in the same class as Inglis, according to Hayne.

“I think the forward pack (battle) is going to be tough and physical in the middle. But I don’t think the Bulldogs have a bloke of the calibre of Greg Inglis,” Hayne said on Fox Sports’ NRL 360.

“He’s a freak, he can break a game open, he’s a big game player.

“That’s probably his biggest strength – when the big games come around, with what he’s been through, you know GI is going to turn up.

“If there’s one person I’d be worried about it’s him. I think he’ll open the game up.”

Hayne, who was on Tuesday crowned Dally M joint winner alongside North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston, is battling with Inglis to replace injured Kangaroos fullback Billy Slater for the end-of-season Four Nations tournament.

Inglis, 27, will be vying to win his first official premiership after the Melbourne Storm were stripped of their 2007 and 2009 titles for salary cap breaches.

The clash will be his fourth grand final and he also has played a key role in Queensland’s recent run of eight State of Origin wins and made 29 appearances for Australia.

Hayne pointed to Inglis’ big-game experience – especially around a young and brash backline – as crucial in the season decider.

Asked if the Rabbitohs found themselves behind in the dying minutes, who needed to have the ball in hand, Hayne said: “It’s got to be something to do with GI, GI is the key.

“He’s their best attacking weapon.”