Jarryd Hayne has reportedly been in talks with the Eels about a return
RUGBY league or rugby union? The Roosters or the Eels? The Waratahs or the Rebels?
So many questions about Jarryd Hayne’s future remain unanswered, but we might just have the first clue about where that future lies.
Channel Nine’s Danny Weidler reported on Thursday night Hayne’s manager Wayne Beavis has been in talks with the Eels over the past couple of weeks.
Despite their salary cap woes, Nine reported Hayne’s former club was confident it had the money to secure the ex-fullback’s signature should he return to the NRL. It’s expected Hayne would command $1 million a season.
For the western Sydney club to afford his asking price, they would need to offload a star on similar money. That star is Kieran Foran.
Brought over from the Sea Eagles in 2016, the Eels paid big bucks for the New Zealand international’s services, but have yet to see the return they were hoping for.
The playmaker took time out from the game for personal reasons and spent time in a rehab facility. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, and was recently fined and stripped of the club captaincy for allegedly failing to turn up to rehab sessions for that injury.
After quitting the NFL earlier this year, Hayne is vying for a spot in the Fiji Rugby Sevens team for the upcoming Rio Olympics. Whether he makes the final cut or not, different clubs from different codes will all be clambering to sign him.
Israel Folau believes his former rugby league teammate would do well in the 15-a-side game and potentially be a great boost to his NSW Waratahs.
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said last week he would definitely be interested in signing Hayne to the Super Rugby side.
Folau and Hayne played one league Test together — they were both on the wing for Australia against New Zealand in 2007.
“I certainly think if he was to come and play a 15-man code he would do quite well,” Folau said.
“He’s naturally talented to pick up the game.
“I’m here playing (in the Waratahs) — it would be nice to get someone like Jarryd to come and join.
“I think it would be a great boost for the team, no doubt.”
Many thought the Roosters were the frontrunners to sign him when gun fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck left at the end of 2015 to join the New Zealand Warriors. This not only freed up significant space under the salary cap but left a vacancy at fullback, with the tricolours refraining from signing another specialist number one.
Rookie Latrell Mitchell has stepped into the custodian role this season and impressed plenty of good judges, giving Roosters fans hope for the future even if they miss out on recruiting the Hayne Plane.
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