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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...6334794430?from=igoogle+gadget+compact+bi_rss
Brad Fittler backs Jarryd Hayne for Kangaroos No.6 jersey over Johnathan Thurston
NRL great Brad Fittler says Jarryd Hayne should be the Australian Test five-eighth ahead of Johnathan Thurston - he just needs to want it badly enough.
In a stunning show of faith on the eve of the annual City-Country clash, Fittler says Hayne is a better option in the Kangaroos No.6 - and could already be there if his club side, Parramatta, had persisted with him in the playmaker role.
The NSW Origin legend also questions why Thurston, the Queenslander who has spent almost his entire NRL career at halfback, was universally "considered a given" to replace retiring Australian captain Darren Lockyer. "I can't believe the way Australia's five-eighth spot has been transferred to a bloke who, while a wonderful footballer, has basically played halfback for the past 10 years," Fittler told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
"Yes, JT is a great player. But the reason I wanted Jarryd playing five-eighth last year was because I saw a spot up for grabs in the Australian side I thought he could get.
"But the Queenslanders, they've done very well haven't they? They're up six-nil in Origin and I think they've brainwashed everyone a bit."
Among the greatest footballers to ever wear the Kangaroos No.6 jersey, Fittler admits to "loving Thursto as a player" but said his strong efforts last night against New Zealand don't change his opinion.
When asked if Hayne brought more to a side at five-eighth, he continued: "In defence, yes.
"Johnathan Thurston is a wonderful attacker but I'll ask you the question: if you're coming around and have to run that big hard line inside the number three - which is the line they all run, at the inside shoulder of the little bloke - do you want it to be Jarryd Hayne or Johnathan Thurston? Who would you run at?"Ahh, Thurston ...
"Absolutely," Fittler says. "A million times out of a million."
The Jarryd Hayne Experiment is undoubtedly the story of this Sunday's NSW Origin trial in Mudgee.
It has now been three years since Parramatta, under then coach Daniel Anderson, first used Hayne as pivot.
Twice they've tried it. Twice they've failed.
Yet sources close to the 24-year-old believe a show of faith in him as a five-eighth, like Fittler has done in City camp, is all he needs to make a success of the role with Parramatta, NSW and eventually, Australia.
"Obviously it's hypocritical if I'm calling on Jarryd to play five-eighth when he's playing fullback for the Eels," Fittler continues. "That's exactly why I wanted him tested there last year - I saw an available Test spot and I knew he could grab it.
"But then the Eels pulled the pin and so did he. Yet if Parramatta had persisted, I have no doubt Jarryd could be playing five-eighth for Australia now. But if he wants that spot, wants to play it every week in the NRL, that's up to him.
"Because while I believe the spot is up for grabs at Test level, the bigger question is: does Jarryd Hayne?
"JT is hungry to represent Australia. He knows what he wants. I have no idea what Jarryd Hayne wants. That's the great mystery. But if his ambition is to play for Australia - and it has to be, doesn't it? - his best position is five-eighth."
Discuss.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...6334794430?from=igoogle+gadget+compact+bi_rss
Brad Fittler backs Jarryd Hayne for Kangaroos No.6 jersey over Johnathan Thurston
NRL great Brad Fittler says Jarryd Hayne should be the Australian Test five-eighth ahead of Johnathan Thurston - he just needs to want it badly enough.
In a stunning show of faith on the eve of the annual City-Country clash, Fittler says Hayne is a better option in the Kangaroos No.6 - and could already be there if his club side, Parramatta, had persisted with him in the playmaker role.
The NSW Origin legend also questions why Thurston, the Queenslander who has spent almost his entire NRL career at halfback, was universally "considered a given" to replace retiring Australian captain Darren Lockyer. "I can't believe the way Australia's five-eighth spot has been transferred to a bloke who, while a wonderful footballer, has basically played halfback for the past 10 years," Fittler told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
"Yes, JT is a great player. But the reason I wanted Jarryd playing five-eighth last year was because I saw a spot up for grabs in the Australian side I thought he could get.
"But the Queenslanders, they've done very well haven't they? They're up six-nil in Origin and I think they've brainwashed everyone a bit."
Among the greatest footballers to ever wear the Kangaroos No.6 jersey, Fittler admits to "loving Thursto as a player" but said his strong efforts last night against New Zealand don't change his opinion.
When asked if Hayne brought more to a side at five-eighth, he continued: "In defence, yes.
"Johnathan Thurston is a wonderful attacker but I'll ask you the question: if you're coming around and have to run that big hard line inside the number three - which is the line they all run, at the inside shoulder of the little bloke - do you want it to be Jarryd Hayne or Johnathan Thurston? Who would you run at?"Ahh, Thurston ...
"Absolutely," Fittler says. "A million times out of a million."
The Jarryd Hayne Experiment is undoubtedly the story of this Sunday's NSW Origin trial in Mudgee.
It has now been three years since Parramatta, under then coach Daniel Anderson, first used Hayne as pivot.
Twice they've tried it. Twice they've failed.
Yet sources close to the 24-year-old believe a show of faith in him as a five-eighth, like Fittler has done in City camp, is all he needs to make a success of the role with Parramatta, NSW and eventually, Australia.
"Obviously it's hypocritical if I'm calling on Jarryd to play five-eighth when he's playing fullback for the Eels," Fittler continues. "That's exactly why I wanted him tested there last year - I saw an available Test spot and I knew he could grab it.
"But then the Eels pulled the pin and so did he. Yet if Parramatta had persisted, I have no doubt Jarryd could be playing five-eighth for Australia now. But if he wants that spot, wants to play it every week in the NRL, that's up to him.
"Because while I believe the spot is up for grabs at Test level, the bigger question is: does Jarryd Hayne?
"JT is hungry to represent Australia. He knows what he wants. I have no idea what Jarryd Hayne wants. That's the great mystery. But if his ambition is to play for Australia - and it has to be, doesn't it? - his best position is five-eighth."
Discuss.
