Jarryd Hayne remains open to a move to rugby union and, if the former NRL star and NFL player does shift to the 15-a-side game, he could line up against the Wallabies within months of doing so.
The NSW Waratahs announced on Tuesday they would not table an offer to Hayne.
But Hayne’s manager Wayne Beavis said on Wednesday his client was still interested in playing rugby.
One major sticking point with the move is the fact Hayne can’t play for the Wallabies as he has played sevens for Fiji.
That prevents the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) topping up his contract with any Super Rugby franchise.
But a possible Test against Fiji next year, that could come just matches into Hayne’s rugby career, would provide a marketing dream for the ARU and significantly swell its coffers.
The ARU hasn’t confirmed its schedule for next year, but a Test against Fiji, likely in Melbourne, is sure to garner plenty of interest if Hayne is in the visiting side.
However, such a blockbuster remains only a possibility with the NRL’s Parramatta the favourites to sign Hayne.
But Beavis said rugby wasn’t out of the picture.
“We never talked to the Waratahs, we only talked with the ARU and we remain open to all offers,” he told AAP.
“When the time comes, I will sit down with Jarryd, put all the offers in front of him and he will make a decision then.”
Parramatta, who are undergoing significant governance reform following NSW government intervention, are in no rush to sign their former superstar.
Off-contract playmaker Corey Norman is a priority for the Eels.
But the club is also in no rush to secure Norman’s signature, given he has been suspended for the remainder of the NRL season due to his off-field indiscretions and has indicated he won’t take up a big money move to St George Illawarra.
The Eels are yet to release Kieran Foran from his million-dollar-a-year contract, which would open up the money to sign Hayne.
That release is a formality but the Kiwi international is likely to receive less than the $200,000 severance package he is seeking.
Coach Trent Robinson on Wednesday again ruled the Sydney Roosters out of the running for Hayne.
That leaves Gold Coast and Parramatta as possibly Hayne’s only NRL destinations.
Hayne had previously said he would only rejoin the Eels in any return to the NRL.
“There has been no formal offer from Parramatta,” Beavis said.
Hayne and Beavis met ARU boss Bill Pulver, who said he believed the the ex-Eels fullback had a genuine desire to play rugby.
However, many within rugby circles believe the code is being played by Hayne in a bid to drive up his asking price.
Hayne could earn considerably more money in union than league, with a third-party deal of around $200,000 possibly added to his salary of about $300,000.
Hayne could also earn about $1 million a season in Japanese rugby.
But he would have to renege on his formerly stated desire to stay in Sydney and possibly move to Brisbane, Melbourne or Canberra.
KTinHK
Roar Pro
Not you again. Don't you have a job?
ClarkeG
Guest
I would like to hear those words come from Ben Ryan all the same.
ClarkeG
Guest
Wainui played in 7 games apparently. Fifita not even listed so I imagine he did not get a run at all. Hunt involved in 2 games. Fonotia is leaving along with Nandolo and McNichol of course. And yes Freuen is a problem. The signing of Ioane indicates there is not a list of satisfactory candidates lining up for these positions.
Lroy
Guest
Well, he would probably get a game at the Force right so why not. I dont understand how a guy with an Australian passport cant play for Australia... he played about 12 minutes of sevens if he was lucky, and now is ruled out from playing with the Wallabies?? Yet some bloke from Australia , South Africa or New Zealand, who has never lived in the home nations can play for any of them on the basis of where a grandparent was born?? Its disgraceful, I think this is something the SANZAR nations should challenge. I dont have any problem with a bloke going up north, spending the three years playing club rugby to qualify and then lining up for a national side... but at the moment its a farce.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Apparently it's an EU Law so it would be. For now at least.
CUW
Guest
if he has a fijian passport then he is a local in france :) i dont know if the same thing applies in england though. btw , what a lot of people shud realize is that , according to reports it was the fiji coach who was keen on hayne. i get a feeling that hayne , just like leroy houston bought a dead rope.
CUW
Guest
it will be interesting to see how the new coach fills his squad. todd b used just 4 wings - nandolo , macilai havili and mcnichol , i dont think either sean wainui or sione fifita played on wing (if they did must be very limited time). on the other hand they had many centers - crotty fonotia freuen goodhue wainui , of which both goodhue and freuen were out ( goodhue even be4 the season started). now goodhue was a wing + center at u20 world cup in 2015. he was signed on roberteon's recommendation (as u20 coach). they also have hunt the u20 fullback from 2015. doubt he even got a bench spot (bu then i have not seen all matches so ..) onething crusaders must be concerned must be the fragility of freuen - i very much doubt he has played a super season fully or even a considerable number of matches , while at crusaders.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't he have been considered a 'local' anyway because he has a Fijian passport? Didn't think that his playing eligibility dictated his nationality under the Cotonou & Kolpak rules.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
KT, much like you seem to be, Cully is guilty of believing what he wants. Firstly he gives credit to Gibson. Gibson was one of the first to come out saying the Waratahs would be interested. I think he said the ARU should try and do something to get him there even! Pulver came out and said the ARU would not be offering any money. They were simply trying to broker a deal between supposedly interested parties, the Waratahs and a Japanese club that would benefit NSW and Australian rugby. After people from the Waratahs were the first the publicly mention any prospect of Hayne playing for them, their CEO jumps on his high horse in public over the matter.
ClarkeG
Guest
The Crusaders have just officially filled 1 wing spot - Digby Ioane.
soapit
Guest
RT how many of those loyal to the code wouldnt jump ship immediately if they received a decent offer to play league?
soapit
Guest
mania what evidence is there that nz is the best place for a leaguie to learn rugby?
mania
Guest
true Tragic. hayne would def have to prove himself at NPC level before getting a super contract. saying that though NPC wouldn't be a step down and would still give him an awesome insight to playing rugby properly. I however differ in that I don't care where an athlete has come from; if he's good enough he gets the position. sure the incumbents may miss out but its about getting the best player to fit into the team. plus the injection of new better blood forces everyone to up their game . as long as from the day he signs up he trains just as hard (if not harder ) than the rest of the team and makes all the team sessions then I would let him earn his spot.
KTinHK
Roar Pro
Read today's Cully. As usual, he makes a lot of sense. Unlike the ARU. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/waratahs-show-aru-what-leadership-looks-like-in-jarryd-hayne-debacle-20160727-gqf5to.html
Paul
Guest
It will but only if... He actually can show in the space of a season or 2 that he's worth the money, and he can find a club somewhere who will take him on for only a season or 2 and willing to accept he'll be gone after that. It may require being the overseas marque player, or just a regular roster member and he negotiates a stint in Japan also. I think the Japanese are too conservative to sign him sight unseen having never played the game, so if he was willing to spend 2 years out of Sydney in a Super Rugby team then it might work out.
ClarkeG
Guest
When I read these articles on Jarryd Hayne the vision of him lifting the World Series 7s trophy back in May comes to mind. It was a very odd look.
Selector
Guest
Ahhh that makes sense, I knew there had to be a reason. I respect the Tahs decision even more now. Do you think it will pay off Paul?
Harry
Guest
I guess Wayne Beavis is just doing his job, but lordy its tiresome reading these "French/Japan rugby union showing great interest" stories from league writers who just take down dictation from the likes of Beavis and Khoder - see The Australian today for a classic of the genre. Roosters are interesting in all of this - continually say no way. Lets see.
Emu oldman
Guest
Paul well said. You would have to think the Fiji thing was planned!? But on the other hand as Cheika pointed out that players are motivated by different things and maybe part of it was the identifying with the Fijian culture and religion that drove his thinking, aswell it seems Jarryd chasing his dreams is also him understanding who he is and where he is from. Being on autopilot in league possibly had its day and looking at the macro you would have to think Jarryd Hayne who grew up with nothing now has plenty of assets for his retirement so he can take some 'risks' as others would see them. Put yourself in his shoes, probably owns some good property outright and earning 300 000 - 400 000 k a season without a top up is probably not a bad deal if it went "pear shaped". Yes the Waratahs may have picked his non commitment to the casue, but if you ask him to commit for three years you may get ticket sale value out of him.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
After his stellar year in 2009 Hayne should have left the NRL, and joined NFL for part of the year and rugby with the Waratahs and Wallabies for the rest of the year, taking the RWC off NFL. He could have had an outstanding career in both. But he left it all too late for no good reason.