http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...lub-if-they-beat-penrith-20160712-gq46te.html
Parramatta Eels will step up plans to lure Jarryd Hayne back to the club if they beat Penrith
Date
July 12, 2016 - 6:50PM
Michael Chammas
Sports reporter
Parramatta will step up plans to lure Jarryd Hayne to the club this year if they can overcome Penrith on Sunday afternoon.
The Eels have begun to make inquiries about what it would take to get Hayne to the club for the remainder of the season, however the plan won't get off the ground if they failed to keep their slim finals hopes alive with a win against the Panthers in the local derby at the foot of the mountains.
The NRL will allow any club to sign Hayne for this season on the proviso the former San Francisco 49ers running back agrees to a multi-year deal.
However given Parramatta's predicament, it is understood the NRL will require club officials to cease its feud with the governing body and commit to governance reforms to rebuild the club before allowing them to sign Hayne for the remainder of 2016.
Hayne, who missed out on Olympic selection, had his final training session with his Fiji sevens teammates on Tuesday and could be back in Sydney as early as Wednesday to discuss his future.
His manager Wayne Beavis is leaving all options open, including a stint in rugby union, however the opportunity to earn $200,000 for seven games and potentially lead the Eels back to the finals could prove tempting for the code-hopping superstar whose income has been limited since leaving rugby league.
It would rely on the Eels granting Kieran Foran the release he requested on compassionate grounds, freeing up money in the salary cap to pursue Hayne.
His close friend and Eels club captain Tim Mannah understands why Hayne has to explore all the possibilities and wouldn't begrudge him if he decided to chase the money.
"The landscape for professional sport has changed a lot over the years," Mannah said.
"It's no longer just playing for a pie and coke with a team and your mates. There's a livelihood there. He's gone a whole year now without a proper salary as well. There's definitely an aspect there where he needs to make some money as well."
Mannah, who is in regular contact with Hayne, would love to see the former Eels No.1 return to the club but admitted he could do with a rest for the remainder of the year given what he has had to endure over the past two months.
"To be honest I think he needs some space to get over, one, the disappointment of missing out on the [Olympic] squad," Mannah said.
"But two, just to have the breathing space to relax. He's had a really intense five weeks with the mountain loads he's done at training. I think we would probably respect the fact that he needs a break. If he decides differently and wants to do something [now] then every club would want him."
Hayne's relationship with Mannah is one of the main attractions of returning to Parramatta given their close connection from their junior days together at the club.
However Mannah insists he won't be getting involved despite his desire to see Hayne back in the blue and gold.
"I definitely wouldn't use my friendship with Jarryd," Mannah said.
"When it comes to something like this it's a business decision. I know what it's like as a sportsperson as well, as much as you want to make decisions emotion based, you also want the business aspect to it as well. I'd like see him back here but every team in Australia would probably like to have him."
Asked about the prospect of returning home to lead the Eels to a long awaited premiership?
"Wouldn't it be awesome?" Mannah said.
