At just 26 years of age Jarryd Hayne is yet to reach his physical peak, yet it feels he has been around the block in his time in rugby league.
Hayne is heading to the NFL, where it is reported he will fit into an offensive running back position, or into special teams, where his elusive running skills can be utilised.
The son of Jodie Hayne and Fiji international Manoa Thompson, Hayne excelled athletically from a young age, winning the national 100 metre hurdles in high school – reportedly without training.
In 2006 he made his debut in the NRL, scoring 17 tries in 16 games, including a 4-try haul against the Newcastle Knights.
His opening season was deemed so impressive that he won both the Parramatta and Dally M rookie of the year awards, and a place in the Kangaroos squad.
In his second season he continued to gain representative accolades, appearing in the 2007 City versus Country match, State of Origin, as well as earning his first Kangaroos cap. Following three strong performances in a losing NSW side, Hayne was awarded the Brad Fittler Medal, given to the NSW player of the series.
It was in his second season that Hayne began to move from the centres and wing toward his favoured fullback position.
In 2008 Hayne was selected in the Kangaroos preliminary World Cup squad of 46, as well as the Prime Minister’s XIII. In spite of his selection for Australia in the previous year Hayne was selected for, and subsequently represented, Fiji in the 2008 World Cup.
Hayne’s 2009 season was nothing short of prolific. Following an outstanding State of Origin campaign and finish to the regular season, he was awarded the Dally M Medal, Dally M fullback of the year, NSW State of Origin player of the series, International Federation player of the year, Parramatta player of the season, and Rugby League Week player of the year.
He, however, controversially failed to win the 2009 Golden Boot award for international player of the year, which was awarded to another superstar fullback playing mostly at centre, Greg Inglis.
His 2009 season could be considered one of the greatest individual seasons in rugby league history.
Hayne’s representative career continued, being a mainstay for the Kangaroos, as well as continuing selections for NSW in State of Origin.
His latest, and last, season was another to be remembered – most notably for his performance in State or Origin that culminated in an iconic image of him jumping into an ecstatic crowd following NSW’s first victory since 2006. His performances saw him awarded a second Brad Fittler Medal.
To add to this, he also shared the Dally M Medal with Cowboys playmaker Johnathan Thurston, topped the try-scoring ladder with 20, and won the Dally M prize for fullback of the year and representative player of the year.
After such a storied career, that has seen Hayne win every individual and team honour bar the NRL premiership with a struggling Eels outfit, it is understandable that such a competitive and talented individual would seek a new challenge.
It is, however, not a desperate cry for help but rather a movement to test his skills in a different arena.
Hayne, in a letter penned to the Blue and Gold Army, indicated that while his heart was still with Parramatta, he would be contradicting himself if he did not chase his dreams and follow is heart.
However his decision was not rushed. Hayne noted that this decision has been gestating for around 24 months, but “The reason I didn’t make this decision any earlier was because of the part I played in getting Brad [Arthur] to the club”… I felt I owed the club one more year and I gave it everything I could”.
However, after the heartbreak of the Eels going another season not making the finals, despite Hayne winning almost every individual award for a second time, there is little else for him to play for.
I am not disappointed to see him go. An athlete with such a rare gift should be cherished while they are around – similar to watching Shane Warne bowl, Adam Gilchrist bat, or John Eales snatch a ball from an opposition lineout (or kick a winning goal in the Bledisloe).
I am, however, sad that he will not be on Australian screens performing the miraculous week in, week out.
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