http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ding-time-with-old-mates-20170819-gxzznt.html
Jarryd Hayne brushed fellow Gold Coast players in favour of spending time with old mates
Jarryd Hayne did nothing to enhance his reputation as a team player when the Titans star spent more time with his former teammates than his current ones last week.
Hayne, ruled out of Thursday's Eels-Titans clash through injury, decided to brush the game altogether rather than turn up at ANZ Stadium to support his fellow Gold Coast players.
It's not like the cross-code star wasn't in Sydney. He found time to hang out with former Parramatta teammate Corey Norman on the eve of the match. The pair engaged in some lively banter, captured on a vlog produced by friend and fellow footballer Isaac John, while having dinner at Mama & Papas at Church Street, Parramatta.
Hayne ribbed Norman about the fact that he has yet to play State of Origin football, but the Eels playmaker had ammunition of his own, given Hayne's much-publicised dramas on the Gold Coast.
"I hope the Titans kept the receipt," Norman quipped.
It's unlikely Gold Coast coach Neil Henry would have seen the funny side. Regular reader(s) of this column knew their relationship was going to end in tears. We revealed in March that Hayne was fined for his lackadaisical approach to training last summer. Hayne's response was telling: he took to Twitter to declare "Loose lips sink ships!" And effectively threw Henry under the bus by following up with: "Was meant to be cap sess [captain's session]. Captain said was ok 4me 2get treatment in syd! Coach found out and fined me. Media will milk it!!!"
The next month, our lead item said Hayne and Henry were feuding but, due to the lack of interest from rival clubs, they were destined to be stuck together on the holiday strip. We even revealed they were barely on speaking terms as early as April, yet the situation has been allowed to fester and, ultimately, rip the club apart.
Henry said Hayne had the "week off", but the fullback's failure show up to support the team is a bad look.
Henry will most likely go and, because the club can't afford to pay out his $1.2million deal, Hayne will stay. The saga has done irreparable damage to a club that was a media darling during a storied run to the finals 12 months ago. Things are likely to come to a head this week, possibly as soon as Monday.
Hayne's personal sponsor is sticking solid. TripADeal's Norm Black, also a Titans sponsor, said the firm would continue its association when Hayne's contract lapsed at the end of the year.
"We're doing more things with Jarryd next year, we're starting an NFL Super Bowl tour with him," Black said. "Our relationship with Jarryd is a longer-term one, we'll be looking at business opportunities such as re-engagement with the NFL."
