Jarryd Hayne’s work ethic comes under fire from greats Gary Belcher and Steve Renouf

QUEENSLAND Origin legend Gary Belcher has torn into Jarryd Hayne, warning the Titans star there is nowhere to hide after the sacking of Neil Henry.

QUEENSLAND Origin legend Gary Belcher has turned up the heat on Jarryd Hayne, warning the besieged Titans superstar there is nowhere to hide following the sacking of coach Neil Henry.

One of the code’s greatest fullbacks, Belcher has questioned whether Hayne has the work ethic and fitness base to succeed in the No.1 jumper in the post-Henry era next season.

Hayne struggled to replicate his Dally M-winning magic at the Titans and his strained relationship with Henry was viewed as a critical factor in his inconsistent form on the holiday strip.

But with the Titans board having pulled the trigger on Henry, there is now no excuses for Hayne as the club’s highest-paid player comes under mounting pressure to live up to his $1.2 million deal next season.

CANDIDATES: Who will replace Henry?

Hayne work ethic is under fire. Photo: Mike Batterham

Hayne has been named to return from an ankle injury against the Bulldogs this Saturday, although Belcher is not convinced the removal of Henry will trigger a form revival from the NSW Origin centre.

“I know Hayne can play better if he gave everything he had to being a fitter player and a better part of that team. But I’m not sure he wants to do that,” said Belcher, a veteran of 15 Tests and 16 Origin matches.

“I don’t think he realises the negative effect he can have on guys around him by not training hard and not buying into the team culture.

“Going to the NFL didn’t help him in an NRL sense. There is no endurance in American Football. The training would have suited him because he would have been doing short, sharp, speed-and-power stuff, but he came back to Australia with no endurance base.

“You can’t be a poor trainer in the NRL these days.

“He has been injured a few times this year but he’s simply not fit enough to play at fullback, that’s why Henry was putting him in the centres.

“The fullback has to do so much work these days.”

Legendary Broncos centre Steve Renouf is adamant Hayne, who turns 30 next February, is not a spent force in the NRL. But he challenged the controversial figure to take responsibility by hauling the Titans out of their latest mess.

“Hayne can’t blame Neil Henry now, that goes for all the Titans players,” Renouf said.

“We all know he can play, he just has to knuckle down and deliver. I really hope he settles down and plays footy the way we know he can.

“The new coach will come in and have to get a handle on him and get through to him. The coach has to say, ‘Jarryd we know what you can do, start showing it’.

“He showed glimpses this year in Origin that he’s not past it. He was outstanding in Game One so there’s no doubt he can perform in the NRL.

“He just needs to show more consistency.”

How much influence does a player of Hayne’s level hold? (AAP Image/Craig Golding)

Hayne is off-contract next year and Titans chief executive Graham Annesley admits the big-name recruit must deliver.

“As a contracted player Jarryd is of course expected to fulfil his obligations under his contract just as all players are,” he said.

“Once a new coach has been appointed one of his key objectives will be to get the best possible performance out of everyone in the squad.”

Originally published as Jarryd Hayne’s work ethic comes under fire from greats Gary Belcher and Steve Renouf