Hayne ready for Test footy: Ricky Stuart
Monday Oct 2 18:59 AEST
Australian Test coach Ricky Stuart believes teenage rookie Jarryd Hayne is ready for Test football now - despite the Parramatta winger having only 15 NRL matches to his credit.
Hayne was the selection bolter when the Australian squad to contest the Tri-Nations was named on Monday, capping a stunning rise up the ranks which began in the Eels Premier League ranks earlier this year.
Thrust into first grade by rookie coach Jason Taylor following the sacking of longtime Parramatta mentor Brian Smith midway through the year, Hayne played a large role in helping turn the Eels from wooden spoon contenders into premiership fancies late in the season.
Despite his youth, Stuart said he would have no hesitation in naming Hayne in his starting line-up for the opening match against New Zealand on October 14.
I don't think so, he's a young player that's been in terrific form throughout the season in his first season," Stuart said on Monday.
"This will be a great experience for him and the ball's in his hands now, it's a matter of how he handles himself.
"It's a great opportunity for him to further his career in representative football. I'm sure he'd be very, very excited with his selection.
"There's no-one picked there just for the experience."
Hayne was rewarded for scoring a stunning 17 tries in his 15 top grade appearances with selection in the Kangaroos train-on squad before being named in the Prime Minister's XIII to play Papua New Guinea last Saturday.
Hayne scored a double against the Kumuls and was left stunned by his elevation into the Kangaroos squad on Monday.
"It's literally a dream come true," Hayne said.
"I knew the side was getting picked today, I hadn't given it a second thought to be honest.
"I was just happy to play in the game against PNG, that was great, this is just amazing.
"I just can't believe it, when you look at the quality of players in the squad ... it's just amazing."
link: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=149063
Monday Oct 2 18:59 AEST
Australian Test coach Ricky Stuart believes teenage rookie Jarryd Hayne is ready for Test football now - despite the Parramatta winger having only 15 NRL matches to his credit.
Hayne was the selection bolter when the Australian squad to contest the Tri-Nations was named on Monday, capping a stunning rise up the ranks which began in the Eels Premier League ranks earlier this year.
Thrust into first grade by rookie coach Jason Taylor following the sacking of longtime Parramatta mentor Brian Smith midway through the year, Hayne played a large role in helping turn the Eels from wooden spoon contenders into premiership fancies late in the season.
Despite his youth, Stuart said he would have no hesitation in naming Hayne in his starting line-up for the opening match against New Zealand on October 14.
I don't think so, he's a young player that's been in terrific form throughout the season in his first season," Stuart said on Monday.
"This will be a great experience for him and the ball's in his hands now, it's a matter of how he handles himself.
"It's a great opportunity for him to further his career in representative football. I'm sure he'd be very, very excited with his selection.
"There's no-one picked there just for the experience."
Hayne was rewarded for scoring a stunning 17 tries in his 15 top grade appearances with selection in the Kangaroos train-on squad before being named in the Prime Minister's XIII to play Papua New Guinea last Saturday.
Hayne scored a double against the Kumuls and was left stunned by his elevation into the Kangaroos squad on Monday.
"It's literally a dream come true," Hayne said.
"I knew the side was getting picked today, I hadn't given it a second thought to be honest.
"I was just happy to play in the game against PNG, that was great, this is just amazing.
"I just can't believe it, when you look at the quality of players in the squad ... it's just amazing."
link: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=149063
