Jarryd Hayne wants a new club. Or at least he reportedly wants a new club.
Let’s assume the reports are on the money and Hayne really does want to fly out of the Titans and get a gig at a Sydney club. I’m sure there’s a joke or seven to be made about him following his latest dream, but should anyone actually give Hayne a spot on their roster?
No. And here’s why.
The obvious destination is Parramatta. Dean Ritchie has already said that’s where Hayne should head, and you can be certain he won’t be the last.
But it makes no sense for the Eels.
When Hayne left the NRL for the NFL, he sent a letter to Eels fans saying “I’m leaving knowing that I have signed a ‘lifetime agreement’ with the Eels, so if I return to the NRL, it will be to Parramatta.”
(Grant Trouville © nrlphotos.com)
We all know how that played out.
Why should anyone at the club welcome Hayne back with open arms after he failed to follow through on such a public display of (faux) loyalty?
Even if you take that out of the equation, where would Hayne even fit into their side?
His best position remains fullback, but Clint Gutherson has a monopoly on the Eels’ number one jersey. As Parramatta’s best player last season, ‘King Gutho’ won’t be giving up that spot anytime soon.
Fact is, Parramatta came closer than anyone else to beating Melbourne in the finals – even without Gutherson. Yes, their line-up needs a bit of tinkering with to turn them into genuine premiership threats, but is Hayne the piece that completes the Parramatta puzzle?
Not at all. He just hasn’t played well enough since his NRL return to make the Eels think he can push them to a premiership.
The same goes for any other Sydney club.
Based on the past 18 months, there’s no way Hayne is worth anything close to the pay packet he currently takes home. Even the Roosters and their salary sombrero should be put off by his $1 million+ per year price tag.
But let’s put all the on-field reasoning aside, and ignore the fact that Hayne is both a bad positional fit and too expensive for the vast majority of clubs.
Let’s ask, in all seriousness, which club would sit comfortably with Hayne at their club after seeing what’s happened to the Titans over the past year and a bit.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Hayne himself has underperformed, and the Titans’ results have mirrored his own form. Coach Neil Henry got the sack after a relationship breakdown with his highest-paid player, and now, just a couple of months later, Hayne supposedly wants out of the club.
It’s a laughable turn of events, and one that should put every team off throwing their hat in the ring for Hayne’s services.
If he was producing the same league-best play of five to ten years ago, you’d understand clubs overlooking the potential culture clash Hayne could bring with him.
But in his current funk, he’s just not worth the potential headaches.
Mal Meninga summed it up nicely when he said: “He hasn’t played well enough to do that. I think he needs to make sure that he stays at the club and plays the best he possibly can for them.
“They’re the ones who invested in him and he hasn’t invested back in the club.”
Ultimately, Hayne is contracted to the Titans. He shouldn’t be able to leave so soon after a fallout with Henry just happened to coincide with the coach getting the sack.
That in itself should be enough of a reason for other clubs to stay away.
UPDATE: Jarryd Hayne has denied today’s reports, saying he hasn’t asked manager Wayne Beavis to speak to Sydney-based teams.
Chook
Guest
Chook
Guest
I like Nathan Brown - future superstar.
Chris Love
Guest
From what I can remember, Hayne was given a verbal offer from Parramatta but the NRL was taking so long to wind up the salary cap saga that they weren't able to table a formal offer. It dragged out for weeks when Hayne signed with the Titans. I think Greenberg wanted it to play out that way and it did. Hayne at Parramatta? Parra would be mad to spend a cent over 400k on him, with a water tight contract in the Eels favour so that if there is any shenanigans and Arther wants to punt him on performance/training ethic grounds, that they don't have to pay him a further cent. Even then, he would have to play on the wing to replace Radradra's roll and I think he could be very effective for Parramatta in that role. Getting his ego deflated far enough for him to accept and buy into that is another story. Parramatta don't need another play maker/ball runner. They need another high quality second rower in the mould of Wade Graham to compliment all the hard work that Nathan Brown does. Replacing Kenny Edwards and Beau Scott. Even someone like Corey HW from the Panthers would be a fantastic addition. If you asked me what would you rather see, Parramatta in the headlines by replacingRadradra with Hayne or replacing Scott and Edwards with Graham and CHW I know which one I would chose and which one would be more likely to bring a premiership.
terrence
Guest
Thanks db, I thought it was darn fine as well.
db
Guest
"Happy to assist as “TheRoar” with my astuteness" This is the best piece of comedy we will experience today.
terrence
Guest
That won't ever happen.
Andrew
Guest
But because it is about Jarryd Hayne, all the keyboard warriors attack him.
Josh
Guest
Get over yourself
David Brown
Roar Rookie
If he wants the kind of money he is on at the Titans then his only real alternative is playing union in France. They have no salary cap and more money than sense.
terrence
Guest
Too easy SP: Hoppa: below average post door knocking excursion, dogs (pun intended) the hard yard running back on kick returns, no running ball playing skills. The worst fullback in the NRL, by far! Dufty: a great work in progress, but most likely ready for a full NRL season in 2019 or 2020. One good debut doesn't equal summer dreams. Inglis: old, injury prone, wants to move north. Souths happy to let him go. Fly Mr Percival fly...! Gutherson? no way. More likely French. Sacre bleu. Lolohea: A work in progress, good NSW cup player, but a regular NRL fulback? No. A number 6? more likely, but that is now Reynolds spot. The rest? Sharks have at least two options, Manly a bit skinny at the back if TT goes down, Moylan wants out of the foot of the mountains, but they have Edwards and a range of options, Chooks are more than fine. If the Hayne Plane wants to land in Sydney and one club wants him, he will. But that club won't be fitting the full bill in 2018.And lets face it, post Chookie Cronk, a team will fit the Hayne Drain under the cap (without displacing a new clubmate, perhaps?)
jamesb
Guest
A bit too late for Folau to go to NFL. With Hayne, what a shame. His career promised so much at the end of 2009. That's now 8 years ago.
terrence
Guest
Hey DJ, so you're an "editor", Stop publishing factually incorrect articles and start editing, so this site will be better, Not only errors from "TheRoar" rookies, But by others who write factually incorrect and then when I point out they get very sooky, Start doing you're job better with this in mind, Factual errors I consistently find, Which then I post without a shout, To which the moderators read my the factual corrections and then chuck out, To protect the site, And their lack of knowledge, most like, Heard my posts and accuracy is a concerning talking point in "TheRoar" office, Happy to assist as "TheRoar" with my astuteness, But stop re-writing and editing my posts, To make it sound like I'm agreeing with those who have erred the most, And yes this prose has been copied, So if not published it will be sent to competitors sites bigger followed, C'mon DJ and colleagues, pick up your games, So this site will grow bigger and so will you and your article writers will (potentially) get more fame.
Davico
Roar Pro
Maybe you should check your facts. Parra made him an offer it just was not as much as the Titans offered. This is where you come out and say he needs to do whats best for him and players are just earning a living but it does not change what he said! The bloke is so far up himself he has tasted his lunch 4 times. And don't let the Hillsong praise be act fool you either!!!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fair call regarding the wing spot UITN. He would have to take a significant pay cut though - in saying that, no one is going to sign him, even as a fullback, with the same sort of money that he has been on at the Titans for the last year and a half.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hiya Don, Anthony Seibold came out today I think it was and said he is going to lock Inglis back in at fullback. Regardless, his replacement is Alex Johnston, and I think you'd probably still prefer him over Hayne, just in terms of the whole attitude situation. Canterbury may well have a look at him. Hopoate's best position is probably in the centres and as you say, all reports suggest he is going to play there which was an oversight in my comment. I'm not sure who Canterbury have earmarked to play fullback, but I'd still think Hayne is an avoid at all costs sort of guys based on the evidence presented over the last 12 months.
Your kidding
Guest
It's probably just the crap Telegraph clutching at straws to get a story going. But you never know with Hayne. The media have got sucked in once again.
Brainstrust
Guest
I think Hayne should play rugby union ahead of rugby league, and there is no way he should play sevens again. He is naturally lazy and that NFL stint did him no good with their lacks of fitness training. Rugby union suits him because while the forwards do their thing Hayne gets to have a breather. Folau should go to NFL because he has secure hands and doesn;t have to tackle. SBW may he play with the All Blacks till he is 40 that way AUstralia can win the Bledisloe.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
That is assuming you play him as a fullback, father time has passed him by and he would be best used as a winger these days, and that's still doubtful. I honestly can't imagine any club - apart from Newcastle who would go near him, but then I don't think they would touch him either. I'd say the Hayne plane has had his journey and it's time to bail out of the aircraft.
Don
Roar Rookie
Good comment Scott but consider this; Souths have already said Inglis will be starting at 5/8 next season Canterbury have repotedly earmarked Hopoate at centre Then, what if the Titans subsidised Hayne's contract to the tune of $500K to play at another club? They'd still have $500K to spend on another young guy/s without any turmoil and innuendo around what Hayne's future is going forward and another Sydney club would pick up Hayne for $500K next year… It is likely that clubs still with $500K wriggle room in their cap would take a risk on Hayne.
northerner
Guest
Actually, it sort of sounds to me like his management are putting feelers out.