Neil Henry admits he’s yet to decide on Jarryd Hayne’s best position for the Titans, but has whittled it down to “either reserve grade or rugby”.
The revelation follows questioning over the pair’s relationship, with whispers emerging the coach didn’t agree to the Origin rep’s contract extension.
Speaking at a press conference, Henry denied any issue with Hayne and confirmed the pair enjoy a “mutual co-existence”.
He also refused to blame Hayne for the club’s recent demise, despite “everything going wrong since he arrived”.
The news comes with Titans officials remaining hopeful Hayne will eventually make an appearance for the club after nearly a season on their books.
Other than a field goal in Campbelltown and some exertion around Origin time, the superstar’s arrival has been delayed, despite the club paying him a contract so rich he evades Spanish tax.
While his exorbitant salary has translated to increased gate takings, it has also reaped a massive number of stray cut-out passes and raised-hand apologies.
Hayne’s statistics have also been down, however his reputation leads the league in absent tackle-busts and perceived big-game ability.
But despite his slow start and appalling body language, patient officials are prepared to give him right up to the end of his contract to live up to the hype.
The club says this is because Hayne is an “integral part of the club’s vision”, and nothing to do with being unable to afford a contract payout since Aquis pulled the pin.
One Titans official declared when it comes to players like the 29-year-old, “you can’t put a value on his $1.2 million price tag”.
The club maintains his time has been an outrageous success thus far, mainly because he sells a lot of “jerseys and shit”.
Even one medicated fan held high hopes for Hayne’s time at the club, labelling him as “the next Will Zillman”.
Da Plan is Da Man
Guest
Well Kurt keep on working as Da plan wont have to when he retires from League- whose the sucker not Da Plane
Da Plan is Da Man
Guest
25 SOO and 22 tests - over 200 FG games - mmm and you- let me think - 0 SOO 0 tests and 0 FG Games =0 Idea
Da Plan is Da Man
Guest
Yeh and your ability is what like the dunce who wrote this article a mix indoor cricketer wearing a skirt and makeup too I suppose
Da Plan is Da Man
Guest
The laughs on you Dane as your a nobody and he's a multi millionaire - I know who most would want to be unless they are a Daft Jealous PC Lefty like you I suppose. Mixed indoor cricket!!! suppose you wore a skirt too and makeup
Scott
Guest
He'll do well next year, contract is up
Womblat
Guest
The ABC has issued an apology for wrongly identifying Hayne as that individual, and they are currently under extreme pressure for their slipshod reporting and leftist views. Expect a big payout for this "mistake", it sucked many people in, including you. The NRL have enough issues without being dumped on by the likes of the ABC and 60 minutes. Great article Dane. Your pearler in this story for me is "...his reputation leads the league in absent tackle-busts and perceived big-game ability". Cracker.
Duncan Smith
Guest
Paul Kent has written a damning assessment in Saturday's Daily Telegraph of the number of coaches Hayne has killed!
Johnno
Guest
Hayne is like a 90's version of Bob Linder, a specialist rep footy player..
Kurt S
Roar Pro
It was a good Friday chuckle there, Dane. Sadly it is a all too true and Henry might just take the fall over this. Can't blame Hayne. He is just being himself. Whoever pushed to have Hayne join the Titties needs to be accountable. The Titans are a bunch of middle of the range, hard toiling, meat and potatoes style players all on reasonable, yet not outstanding money. Enter Hayne on 1.2 large with a history of not turning up when the hard yards are needed in training and during the game and you don't need to be a psychologist to understand he would ruffle some of the team's feathers. The sad part is, that with a few rounds to go next season, Hayne will probably turn on the magic he is capable of and that will have yet another team board clambering to throw money at him and the dirty cycle will simply all start again.
zenn
Guest
The NRL integrity commission needs to take action regarding Jarryd Hayne's public show of support for an alleged joint criminal enterprise operating in Sydney and allegedly associated with The Ibrahim family
The Barry
Roar Guru
I've been critical of Hayne this season but only on what I think are objective reasons that basically come down to him not delivering the on field value that his contract suggests he should. But he did more than "nearly pull off" his NRL adventure. He went over with the express goal of playing NFL and he did that. He never said he was going to be an MVP or win a Superbowl. If his ball security had been just a little bit better it could have worked out so much better. I still think it's a success though. It was an amazing achievement.
kk
Roar Pro
Oingo, It will take at least two seasons, millions of dollars and intelligent recruiting to rectify the Canterbury Catastrophe. I first voiced that opinion in 2015.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Ha Ha... Dane, you are a funny man. That overweighted chip into the Broncs in-goal with the 6 to go call summed up his season "selfish".
Memphis
Guest
To say he lacks guts is a bit much - he was a running back in NFL which requires massive fortitude. His mind may not always be on the job but everyone knew that before they signed him so more fault them. He may turn it around before his time is up but people like Crosscoder who raise expectations and treat him as the Messiah should know better.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
He's the Robbie Farah in Haynes clothing.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
That would be an interesting scenario MAX . Dessie won't need to work next year , as the Dags will be paying for him to bask in the sun somewhere at their expense , and Mr Henry could do himself a favour and leave the Titans , with the rod they have created for the clubs back . Unless of course , if their happens to be more to the situation at the Dags than meets the eye.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I really hope that Henry doesn't get punted. It was pointed out last night that Hayne has never played under the same coach for more then two years straight despite playing at one club for 8 years. Not saying that its all his fault that they didn't last, but it's not an environment to come through that engenders much respect for a head coach or an environment that fosters accountability for your own perfomances when the coach is forced to shoulder blame for poor seasons.
kk
Roar Pro
Be it for playing or resting, at $50K or $625 per minute for each game, the signing of Jarryd has, sadly, not been transferred to the scoreboard. The Titans Board wanted a magnet and most of us were excited by the adventure, thinking that Jarryd would provide that extra boost necessary to maintain a place at the top of the NRL ladder. What we now have is a big fizzer, with disastrous consequences for club and players. If I was a multi wanting to invest in my own NRL team, I would want the signature of coach Neil Henry. If this job goes south, let's hope he finds himself at Belmore. At (say) $555K he would solve a lot of problems.
Christov
Guest
Haha - the next Will Zillman is a bit insulting to Will. But of course Henry will be punted by next season, Hayne will play on until signing with the Warratahs or some other team who needs a PR boost and life goes on.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
It's hard to watch and even harder to like a player like Hayne - like you say, limitless potentials but to see it taken for granted is just cruel. The "next Will Zillman" comment is inaccurate - Zillman might be a bit of a journey-man but he could never be accused of not trying. I would take a Zillman over a Hayne any day.