Roosters refuse to give up hope of signing Jarryd Hayne this year before the June 30 deadline
March 19, 2016 4:28pm
Phil RothfieldThe Daily Telegraph
THE Sydney Roosters refuse to give up hope of signing footy superstar Jarryd Hayne this year before the June 30 deadline to register players.
The club has purposely left $600,000 in this year’s salary cap, which would be more than enough to pay Hayne to play the second half of the season.
It would also make him available to play for the Blues in the third State of Origin game against the Maroons on Wednesday July 13 at ANZ Stadium.
Despite his constant denials about returning to the NRL, conversations between his manager Wayne Beavis and the Roosters are ongoing. Any suggestion that he might return home to Parramatta have been blown away by the club’s latest salary cap scandal.
There is also talk coach Brad Arthur is more concerned about strengthening other areas of his footy team rather than the fullback position.
Despite their dreadful start to the season, the Roosters have deliberately held back on signing any new players to keep the cash available for Hayne. Most clubs in their position would be shopping now for new talent.
Hayne will return soon to San Francisco to rejoin the 49ers for their NFL pre-season camp. Beavis is hoping Hayne will get an early indication — by mid-June at the latest — from new coach Chip Kelly as for his plans with the former NRL superstar.
If unwanted by the 49ers it is considered unlikely he would be picked up by another franchise.
The Roosters are desperately waiting for the return of their two best forwards Boyd Cordner and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Their return from injury coupled with the possibility of Hayne joining the club on a three-year deal would certainly lift their hopes of a late season revival and charge for the finals.
