Eels in game for Jarryd Hayne but manager scotches return rumours
Margie M Donald
The Australian
November 20, 2015 12:00AM
Parramatta added their name to the list of NRL clubs chasing Jarryd Hayne’s signature should he return to Australia from American football but his manager says they will be waiting a long time.
The former rugby league star is not finished with the San Francisco 49ers, according to agent Wayne Beavis, and intends to resurrect his NFL — not his NRL — career.
Hayne was cut from the San Francisco 49ers active roster three weeks ago after playing six games to open the season.
This has fuelled the rumours that the 27-year-old was looking for a return to rugby league where he played for NSW 20 times and Australia 12 times.
Reports in the Sydney Daily Telegraph yesterday said two clubs, Penrith and Sydney Roosters, were prepared to enter a bidding war to secure Hayne, a two-time Dally M winner, with both clubs confident he would regain the great heights he has already achieved in the 13-man game.
Late yesterday, Hayne’s former club Parramatta threw their hat in the ring as well.
“The Eels are very proud and supportive of Jarryd continuing to follow his dreams in the NFL,” acting Parramatta CEO John Boulous said.
“Jarryd was a huge part of our club and made an enormous contribution, and if he ever chose to come back to rugby league, we would love to have him in the blue and gold.”
Hayne made his debut with the Eels in 2006 and played 176 NRL games. But Beavis said Hayne, who is now back in the practice squad, is working hard to prove his worth again to 49ers coach Jim Tomsula.
He quashed any notion Hayne was feeling homesick for league.
“Absolutely no truth in it whatsoever. There has been no talk with anyone, any club, about Jarryd coming home,” Beavis told The Australian. “He’s fully committed to his NFL dream.”
Hayne signed a three-year deal in early March with the 49ers but after some scintillating pre-season form was unable to back it up in the season proper, making just eight carries for 25 yards in six games.
The 49ers lost four and won two of those six games.
Initially, when Hayne approached Parramatta about wanting to play American football, the club hoped to secure his NRL services to them for the life of his Eels contract, which was due to expire at the end of next year.
But that was never agreed to by Hayne’s management. If and when he decides to return to the NRL, he would be a free agent, Beavis confirmed.
Hayne could spend many more weeks on the outer. Last week the 49ers signed 26-year-old Travaris Cadet to the dual positions of running back and punt return, positions where Hayne plays.
Cadet has had stints with the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots and signed a one-year deal to help the 49ers through an injury crisis.