NRL's kick-blocker crackdown changes the game - but the question is do we want that?
NRL kickers are under more pressure than ever. But what will the knock-on effects of the new crack-down be?
The St George Illawarra Dragons are said to be eyeing off an off-season move for out-of-contract Eels back Jarryd Hayne.
Channel Nine’s The Mole is reporting the Dragons are considering making a play for the former representative star with pre-season training just a few weeks away.
Hayne is still yet to receive an official offer for a spot on an NRL roster at the Eels or any other club.
Just last week, Eels CEO Bernie Gurr told both AAP and Triple M that there were issues behind the scenes holding off the Eels offering Hayne a new contract, who is said to be frustrated by what is seemingly a breakdown in negotiations between the two parties.
Hayne had a poor 2018 season after switching back to his former club, having previously spent a short spell at the Gold Coast Titans. That followed his previous failed bid at both the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers and rugby sevens, where he attempted to make the Olympic Games squad with Fiji.
Since returning to the NRL, he spent two lacklustre seasons at the Titans, struggling with injury at times, before being shipped off to the Eels where his role in a poor side wasn’t locked down for any length of time.
He played multiple positions in the backline, but his form, along with the rest of the blue and gold, wavered throughout the season.
It’s understood that with no contract on the table for the maligned former star, the Dragons are looking at the prospect of offering him a reduced contract to fit in under the salary cap, with the plan being for Hayne to either play fullback or centre.
The move would shape as an interesting one, given Matt Dufty has locked down the fullback role, while Timoteo Lafai, Euan Aitken and Zac Lomax are in contention for the centre slots at the Red V.
NRL kickers are under more pressure than ever. But what will the knock-on effects of the new crack-down be?
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