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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...e/news-story/17bb7cd9de6222eca3b40d4a92606606
Neil Henry struggling to escape the curse of Jarryd Hayne
Michael Hagan, Daniel Anderson, Stephen Kearney and Ricky Stuart were among the coterie of coaching cognoscenti listed by the Parramatta legend, as he discussed the Hayne conundrum on Fox League’s Matty Johns Show this week.
All four parted ways with the Eels having failed to solve rugby league’s Rubik’s cube. For a time, they all had success, no one more so than Anderson on the way to the 2009 grand final.
But ultimately they were unable to find the key to consistency with Hayne.
Gold Coast coach Neil Henry is now facing a similar dilemma and his inability to extract the best from the mercurial NSW star may culminate in him losing his job.
Hayne has become the premiership’s black widow. Even his coach at the San Francisco 49ers, Jim Tomsula, eventually met his end ahead of time.
Henry is fighting for his coaching life, having had Hayne forced down his throat by a board which saw the opportunity to sign a global superstar and breathe life into a brand that has struggled to get its fair share of oxygen in southeast Queensland.
Hayne was the Titans’ answer to Gary Ablett. He was their riposte to the Brisbane Broncos. The early signs were promising but this season has been a bust. It simply isn’t working and the star player surely has to take more responsibility for that than the coach.
Henry took the Gold Coast to the top eight last season when many had them in contention for the wooden spoon.
He hasn’t always got it right — witness the decision to sign Chris Grevsmuhl, who was sacked this week amid claims he fraudulently obtained money in a jersey scam — but Henry has shown he can extract the best out of the Titans players.
Hayne, on the other hand, is proving a challenge too great for not just Henry, but some of the most respected figures in the game.
Brad Arthur only had Hayne for a short time, but it was more than enough to convince him to quickly dismiss suggestions he could return next season.
Arthur is no dill. He has a side which will play finals football this season but the expectation is that they will be even better next year. Rather than throw money at Hayne, he opted to invest his funds in Mitchell Moses.
The Eels have won eight of their past 11 games since Moses joined the club.
Maligned at the Wests Tigers for his defence, Moses is no longer a turnstile. He has put his body on the line.
Can Hayne say the same? While the Eels have upped the ante on their way to grabbing a finals berth, the Titans have been woeful over the same period, dropping out of finals contention. They play St George Illawarra today with little on the line.
Hayne is paid more than a million dollars a season because the belief was he would turn the Gold Coast into a better team. It’s time to call it for what it is — an abject failure.
Hayne has another year remaining on his deal and there is every chance he will play well given he will be playing for his future.
He is not worth the trouble. If there is any justice, Henry will then be given the opportunity to coach the Titans again with Hayne elsewhere. He just needs to survive.
Neil Henry struggling to escape the curse of Jarryd Hayne
- The Australian
- 12:00AM August 12, 2017
- Brent Read
Michael Hagan, Daniel Anderson, Stephen Kearney and Ricky Stuart were among the coterie of coaching cognoscenti listed by the Parramatta legend, as he discussed the Hayne conundrum on Fox League’s Matty Johns Show this week.
All four parted ways with the Eels having failed to solve rugby league’s Rubik’s cube. For a time, they all had success, no one more so than Anderson on the way to the 2009 grand final.
But ultimately they were unable to find the key to consistency with Hayne.
Gold Coast coach Neil Henry is now facing a similar dilemma and his inability to extract the best from the mercurial NSW star may culminate in him losing his job.
Hayne has become the premiership’s black widow. Even his coach at the San Francisco 49ers, Jim Tomsula, eventually met his end ahead of time.
Henry is fighting for his coaching life, having had Hayne forced down his throat by a board which saw the opportunity to sign a global superstar and breathe life into a brand that has struggled to get its fair share of oxygen in southeast Queensland.
Hayne was the Titans’ answer to Gary Ablett. He was their riposte to the Brisbane Broncos. The early signs were promising but this season has been a bust. It simply isn’t working and the star player surely has to take more responsibility for that than the coach.
Henry took the Gold Coast to the top eight last season when many had them in contention for the wooden spoon.
He hasn’t always got it right — witness the decision to sign Chris Grevsmuhl, who was sacked this week amid claims he fraudulently obtained money in a jersey scam — but Henry has shown he can extract the best out of the Titans players.
Hayne, on the other hand, is proving a challenge too great for not just Henry, but some of the most respected figures in the game.
Brad Arthur only had Hayne for a short time, but it was more than enough to convince him to quickly dismiss suggestions he could return next season.
Arthur is no dill. He has a side which will play finals football this season but the expectation is that they will be even better next year. Rather than throw money at Hayne, he opted to invest his funds in Mitchell Moses.
The Eels have won eight of their past 11 games since Moses joined the club.
Maligned at the Wests Tigers for his defence, Moses is no longer a turnstile. He has put his body on the line.
Can Hayne say the same? While the Eels have upped the ante on their way to grabbing a finals berth, the Titans have been woeful over the same period, dropping out of finals contention. They play St George Illawarra today with little on the line.
Hayne is paid more than a million dollars a season because the belief was he would turn the Gold Coast into a better team. It’s time to call it for what it is — an abject failure.
Hayne has another year remaining on his deal and there is every chance he will play well given he will be playing for his future.
He is not worth the trouble. If there is any justice, Henry will then be given the opportunity to coach the Titans again with Hayne elsewhere. He just needs to survive.
