Eels stars Jarryd Hayne and Luke Burt stand behind troubled Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson
Star support ... Parramatta main man Jarryd Hayne has thrown his support behind embattled Eels coach Daniel Anderson.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
PARRAMATTA star Jarryd Hayne has rallied behind Daniel Anderson, saying he "wouldn't take it too well" if the besieged coach was sacked by Eels management.
And senior Parramatta winger Luke Burt backed up his teammate by claiming it was up to the entire playing group to save Anderson from the axe.
As speculation intensified that the former New Zealand Warriors coach is a dead man walking at Parramatta, the Eels players arrived in Sydney from Friday night's 30-14 upset win over Brisbane to learn of the firestorm that has engulfed the club. And leading the support for Anderson was their biggest name, Hayne.
His relationship with Anderson allegedly became strained after the coach publicly criticised the NSW Origin star's performance against the Broncos six weeks ago.
But speaking after Parramatta kept their title campaign alive with a spirited showing against Brisbane, Hayne said he wanted Anderson at the club next season.
"I expect him to be here," Hayne said. "I really like him as a coach and I wouldn't take it too well if he was sacked.
"I doubt that would happen. It would be very unlikely. If I've got anything to say for it, he will be here next year."
Burt said: "As far as I know he has the full support of the playing group, there's no qualms."
"We're right behind him.
"It's up to us boys as well. If we perform, well the spotlight's not on him as much, so its up to us to play well."
Burt also allayed any fears that the coaching controversy would derail the club's dimming finals hopes and bid to send inspirational captain Nathan Cayless into retirement a winner.
"The good thing about us is that the boys that are out there playing and Ando have the same goal this year and that's to send Nath Cayless out on a big note," Burt said.
"It would be disappointing not to make the semis at all. He deserves at least a semi final campaign. He's done that much for the club. "