Jarryd Hayne’s future at fullback not five-eighth

NEIL Henry says Jarryd Hayne’s future lies at fullback amid calls for the Gold Coast’s $1.2 million man to consider a Darren Lockyer-style move to five-eighth.

TITANS coach Neil Henry says Jarryd Hayne’s future lies at fullback amid calls for the Gold Coast’s $1.2 million man to consider a Darren Lockyer-style move to five-eighth.

The Titans recruited Hayne on a club record salary to give them a corporate magnet who could form a premiership playmaking spine with Ashley Taylor, Kane Elgey and Nathan Peats.

But the 29-year-old has failed to deliver consistently, a five-week ankle injury thwarting him early in the season before his stint in the centres nullified his creative spark.

Jarryd Hayne has been switched between centre, fullback and five-eighth at the Titans.

Hayne no longer has the stunning speed that made him a two-time Dally M Medal winner with Parramatta and has made just seven line breaks in 13 matches this season.

But his silky hands, vision and creativity are as good as ever while his 102kg frame is robust enough to defend in the front line.

Former Gold Coast pivot Ben Ikin believes Hayne has the ability to emulate Lockyer’s famous late-career shift to the No. 6 jersey but must find the desire to enter the furnace.

Jarryd Hayne on the attack for the Titans. Picture: Mark Evans

“I always thought he would make a great six,” Ikin said.

“He is as good going at a defensive line with the ball in two hands and creating space for players as anyone. He is a big body and can stand in tackles.

“He’s got everything you need to be a great six except for the desire to get busy.

“He tends to play with the blinkers on a bit. When he decides he wants to get into a game he can open his vision to create for himself and others. I’m not sure he could go through a game as a playmaker deciding what he needed to do to get the best result for the team.”

Hayne returned to his favoured No. 1 jersey in last night’s derby against the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium.

It was just his ninth appearance at fullback in a season where Henry has used him at centre five times to fill gaps in an injury-ravaged team.

Originally published as Jarryd Hayne’s future at fullback not five-eighth