Former NRL, NFL and Rugby sevens player Jarryd Hayne has announced he will be back in the National Rugby League next year, signing with the Gold Coast Titans. Join The Roar for live updates from the press conference, starting at 10:30am (AEST).
Hayne has been on a merry-go-round in the last 18 months, and speculation has been rampant about where he would end up with multiple clubs rumoured to be chasing the star, but it all finishes today as he signs with the Titans for the 2017 season.
The deal is expected to be worth $1.2 million a season which would make it the biggest in the history of the NRL.
The Parramatta Eels, his former club were rumoured to be among the clubs who had offered Hayne a contract, but their offer fell well short of the mark at just $800,000 per season.
More Jarryd Hayne:
» Five big questions about Hayne signing with the Gold Coast Titans
» Splash of the Titans – Jarryd officially signs with the Gold Coast
» Hayne WILL PLAY this weekend
Hayne left the NRL at the end of the 2014 season, taking up an NFL contract with the San Fransisco 49ers in the United States of America.
He only lasted one season in the USA though, making a shock announcement during the pre-season that he would quit the NFL to chase an Olympic gold medal with his home country Fiji in Rugby 7’s.
Hayne would then participate in the London 7’s tournament to try and push his claim for selection, but he ended up having little impact and was dropped from the Fiji squad at the final cut.
Since then, he has been rumoured to be in talks with both NRL and Super Rugby clubs, however the deal announced today puts an end to all that.
Hayne had famously announced when he left the NRL that he would never play against the Eels.
It is a massive signing for the Titans, with their side performing well above expectation this year. Adding Hayne to that brings them into premiership calculations, no doubt about it.
There are also rumours Hayne could be allowed to play this season.
Be sure to join The Roar for live updates of the press conference on the Gold Coast from 10:30am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments below.
Josh
Guest
I think the release is talking about him playing in NRL
The Barry
Roar Guru
Eels didn't offer him a contract. Hayne hasn't pooed on anyone. The Eels board have pooed all over the fans, the players, the district.
Paul
Guest
"...an enormous boost for the club commercially." And who stands to benefit from this...? Yeah, right, the NRL! "He is an impact player and makes a major difference to the teams that he plays for.” Tell that to the 49ers and the Fiji 7s team :)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yep, seems all positive for the Titans. Could bring him off the bench this weekend. Gotta feel sorry for the bloke he replaces though given how the team have been performing.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The NRL have also released a statement on the Jarryd Hayne signing - CEO Todd Greenberg said “Jarryd left Rugby League with our support to pursue a dream – and I have no doubt the fans will be eager to see him return," “In the end it was Jarryd’s decision but we certainly wanted to see him in the NRL rather than another code. “It was also up to Jarryd to determine which club he joined and his decision to join the Titans will undoubtedly drive interest in the NRL on the Gold Coast.” Mr Greenberg said that, under the NRL rules, players could join an NRL club after June 30 as long as they were not switching from another club. The decision required NRL approval which was given in this case in the best interests of the game.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Just saw this on the news. Very happy to see Jarryd Hayne back in the NRL. Even happier that he has joined the Titans and will play for them this year. This is a big boost to their finals chances. I think he will add a lot to their attack. I think he is ready to play this weekend if he has kept up his fitness training from the Fiji 7s as they have a really really tough fitness regime. With the strength training from NFL as well I think he will be a big asset to the Titans chances. They might as well get him started this weekend to get some match fitness leading into the finals series as I think they will make it and give it a real good shake.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Not sure, would think he would want to train more than 5 days - wouldn't be surprised if he comes off the bench.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well that wraps up our live coverage of the press conference. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. I'll be hanging around to have a chat and update any further developments throughout the day. Be sure to stick around on The Roar for all the reaction and video to come! Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
up in the north
Roar Rookie
If. And it's a big if. Hayne does in fact play this week. Does he add to the side or does he subtract from the side? They're going pretty well at the moment, why now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the press conference and contract Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Neil Henry had the following to say in the statement “Jarryd is a fantastic player and he will bring a wealth of experience to our team”, Henry said . “We are very pleased that he has decided to join the Titans and I look forward to seeing him reproduce the exciting brand of football he is famous for in the NRL”.
Scott Pryde
Expert
An official statement has also been released by the club. In it, Graham Annesley says “This is a monumental signing for the Titans and we are proud that Jarryd has identified our club as the best fit for him to return to the NRL,” Annesley said. “It’s great news for not only our club, but for the NRL in general and we can’t wait to see Jarryd in action for the Titans.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That wraps up the press conference on the Gold Coast.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Annesley: "No doubt that this is an enormous boost for the club commercially. The club is generating a lot of additional interest just by virtue of the way the club is playing this year. Still got some work to do to get into the eight, but hopefully it should generate more membership interest and more corporate support. Jarryd is a household name so to have him on board as a key member of our playing roster, the additional interest it should generate is huge. He is an impact player and makes a major difference to the teams that he plays for."
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hayne: "A lot has happened in the last few hours. Will worry about that (whether he will ever go back to Parramatta) later. Just want to focus on playing footy."
Larkinin
Guest
Any truth that Hayne wanted to sign with Gold Coast, so that he would be closer to Dreamworld?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Henry: "20 origins of experience, and he is still in his prime. Expect him to be a big part of the team moving forward. The fans will welcome him with open arms, as they have done with Konrad Hurrell and Nathan Peats already." Does this move on from the bad days of the club? "We have moved on from that, but a marquee signing is great for the club. Adds another strike player to our roster and we have been going ok. Shouldn't be too quick to put expectations on performances because Jarryd has been out of the game for a while."
Scott Pryde
Expert
Henry: "He is comfortable about making a decision to come here for the next couple of seasons and that is great for the club. As Graham said, it's all happened quite quickly and a bit of a rush at the moment."