There might only be five rounds to go in the 2016 NRL season, but the Gold Coast Titans will have Jarryd Hayne on the field before the season is out after he signed with the club on Wednesday Morning.
The deal, worth $1.2 million per season making it the biggest in NRL history was expected to be in effect from the start of the 2017 season, but because Hayne is not a registered rugby league player either in Australia or anywhere in the world he will be able to play as soon as the NRL clears him.
Titans CEO Graham Annesley confirmed Hayne would be available for the Titans this weekend.
“More importantly for us, Jarryd has made himself available for the rest of this year, meaning he could play on Sunday against the Warriors.”
Danny Weidler broke the news on Channel Nine this morning and Hayne could be named on the Titans teamsheet as early as this weekend, when the Titans take on the Warriors at CBus Super Stadium.
More Jarryd Hayne:
» Five big questions about Hayne signing with the Gold Coast Titans
» Jarryd Hayne’s Gold Coast Titans press conference
» Splash of the Titans – Jarryd officially signs with the Gold Coast
Weidler told the Triple M Grill Team that the problem for Hayne will be clearing up the mess that he left behind at the Parramatta Eels, with their well-documented salary cap problems affecting Hayne.
The other problem may well be other clubs and their public reaction to the fact Hayne could be back in the NRL this year.
The Titans are well under the salary cap and so have room to bring Hayne in, and with the NRL owning the club the whole situation could be potentially looked upon in a friendly light.
Although the fitness and ability of Hayne to jump straight back into first-grade rugby league must be questioned, he is a world class player and athlete and would be a massive boost for the Titans, who have been playing well above expectations this year.
Many had tipped them to be at the bottom of the ladder come this point of the season, but instead they are well in the fight for a top eight spot, and with Hayne now to turn out with them over the final five rounds their chances only increase.
Hayne had stated when he left the NRL in 2014 that he would only ever play for his former club the Parramatta Eels if he was to return, but after speculation that has dragged on ever since he quit the NFL and the deal today will see him break that promise.
It seems as though the ongoing issues with Parramatta gave Hayne little choice but to look elsewhere, with the club not able to table him an official offer.
Mitcher
Guest
But that isn't the rule.
Curl
Guest
It's an insult everybody involved in league at all levels are aware of the rule that no new players can be signed after June 30. They don't allow teams to sign 7 year olds to teams in non-competitive competitions after this date but are allowing This
eagleJack
Roar Guru
So you agree that Will Hopoate was a very poor comparison?
Adsa
Guest
I thought the same Agent, the last thing Henry would want to do is disrupt the team, as they have it together. Playing Hayne off the bench would be the most effective in the short term and Henry can see exactly where his game is at after a few years away. Last year the Sharks used Barba as a super sub to great effect, you could see Hayne fitting that role easily. How big will the roar of the crowd be when he runs out for the first time in Titans kit.
spruce moose
Guest
"He realised early he wouldn’t make the Olympics. But wanted to complete the intense training program. Which he did." Best line of the day. That's almost North Korean.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
If a team under the salary cap can fit in dan Carter or even LeBron James right now they are able to have him
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I'd rather have him with 5 games and a finals series and be a circus than not at all
Dutski
Roar Guru
Really? Is mortimer just cover or are they eyeing him as a hooking option I wonder?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Spruce, I think you will be bitterly disappointed if you think that "The best comparison we have is Will Hopoate" Will had played one full season of NRL before going on a mormon mission. Where he did absolutely nothing for 2 years. Nothing. Now I know the Eels gave him a training regime to adhere to once per week. But that involved a few sprint drills, a sit up or two, and maybe a push up. General stuff to keep in shape. To be done by himself. And occasionally a partner. Not very intense at all. In comparison Hayne left after 9 seasons of the NRL. His final season culminating in him wining the Dally M. He then turned his hand to NFL, competing against the best athletes on the planet. While he didn't take the field too often, the training was intense. Andrew Johns trained with him over Xmas saying he had never seen him fitter. Or bigger. So much more explosive. He then tried his hand at Sevens. With the best team in the world. Where fitness is absolutely everything. The dunes of Fiji got a workout. He realised early he wouldn't make the Olympics. But wanted to complete the intense training program. Which he did. So in reality, about as far from Will Hopoate as is imaginable. Now, as most have said, it will take him a while to get match fitness. Perhaps a few games. But Henry will use him wisely. And he will make a difference to the Titans where at the moment Mead and Zillman are the fullbacks. Hayne is a definite upgrade. 2 years out or not.
Jara W
Guest
What is your precedent then spruce? Two years away from League? Sport? Australia? Gasnier was at the end of his career. And Hopoate had a break out year then left.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
The question I have is: knowing that Greenberg has already stated previously that Hayne "should return to one of the struggling clubs" (read NRL owned basket cases Titans, Dragons who both tendered offers and Newcastle). What obstacles were put in Parramatta's way in the past few weeks over the previous dramas with salary cap, governance issues and talks over suspending fines by the NRL to stall Parramatta from making their offer earlier? No way in the world Parramatta releases Foran unless it was so they could tender an offer to Hayne! So why exactly didn't they? And was the NRL involved in part of that delay? Also is any part of the NRL war chest involved in the TPP deals in this contract?
spruce moose
Guest
You're hilarious! Chambers and Rogers didn't sit out of competitive sport for two years. They still had full seasons under their belts. Sailor had a two year ban and came back dreadfully slow. Who's at the end of their career? Hayne? He's 28. He has 5 years left easily. He has one heck of a PR team. I'll give him that.
Jara W
Guest
One player at the start of their career, another at the end. Not sure it's the best precedence. Chambers, Sailor, the Titans very own Rogers. Plenty of evidence to the contrary. The Titans don't need 2009 Hayne, and I don't think they will get it. But if he can add another element to a form team his presence will attract plenty of attention from the opposition.
Agent11
Guest
wonder if channel 9 has scheduled any Titans games for the rest of the season? i'm betting that they haven't since they are neither the Broncos or a sydney favourite. That's gotta hurt the "home of rugby league".
Clinen
Guest
Guess it's a weird one as Hayne is an ex-league player. I suppose it seemed unfair to me that one club should receive a high class player 5 weeks out from the finals. If only the other contenders could score such a lucky break. Ah well best of luck to him.
spruce moose
Guest
Lol. If he is, then boy does he spend a lot of time talking to himself - in the 4th person no less.
spruce moose
Guest
My scepticism is built on historical precedence. I can think of a few players that have come back to the NRL where the successes weren't immediate, and took time. The best comparison we have is Will Hopoate. He took two years away from the game and took him a further two years to really get back to the level he was at. Another is Mark Gasnier, who took just one year out and then really destabilised the Dragons set up. He never looked the same as he was when he returned. Another is Jarryd Hayne, who swapped over to 7's and was genuinely awful. He will do great things for the Titans (hopefully), but it is silly to have him play this week/season.
craig
Guest
"Jarryd Hayne is not God." do have any proof to back up this outrageous statement?
The eye
Guest
The other big signings for the week in case you missed them were Daniel Mortimer for the Tigers and Rory Kostjasen for the knights...that'd be right...
The eye
Guest
His experience in the finals,which I have no doubt they'll make based on their form,consistency and draw,will be invaluable for the halves..huge fear factor for his opponents..Titans have been blessed..