New Titans coach Garth Brennan vows to fight to keep Jarryd Hayne

THE Roosters says they aren’t interested in Jarryd Hayne saying the price isn’t right but new Titans coach Garth Brennan will fight to keep him on the Gold Coast.

Fiji rugby training in Townsville. Jarryd Hayne. Picture: Shae Beplate.

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NEW Titans coach Garth Brennan has vowed to fight to keep Jarryd Hayne at the Gold Coast as the Roosters ruled out signing the fallen superstar.

Brennan says he will consider releasing Hayne on compassionate grounds, but his primary objective is convincing the NSW Origin ace to honour his $1.2 million contract with the Titans next season.

Hayne’s possible return to Parramatta is gathering steam, with Eels hierarchy prepared to offer a $600,000 deal and banking on a Titans subsidy to complete a $1 million transfer.

But with the Titans set to play hardball and refuse to entertain a severance package, Hayne must either take a drastic pay cut — or wear Titans colours under Brennan’s new regime in 2018.

The rookie Titans mentor hopes Hayne opts for the latter option. Brennan has signed Hayne’s former conditioner at the Eels, Hayden Knowles, to work with the high-maintenance fullback and believes he is a trump card.

Garth Brennan has vowed to fight for Jarryd Hayne. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“In Hayden’s conversations with Jarryd, he was glowing and saying, ‘H, get up here (to the Gold Coast), it’s a great place,” Brennan told Triple M radio.

“They are thick as thieves. Hayden is a real confidant to Jarryd and Hayne was the driving force saying ‘get up here, it’s a great club and we’ll do some exciting things’.

“It (talk of Hayne wanting out) is news to me. The text messages I’ve exchanged with Jarryd have all been positive. I don’t know there is any issue, it’s all media speculation at this stage.

“Jarryd is very much part of our plans and he can be a super asset to the Gold Coast Titans.”

Brennan is reluctant to lose Hayne but says he would be open-minded about signing off on a release if the former Test star wants to return to Sydney for family reasons.

“I’d weigh it all up,” he said.

“I have to do what’s best for the Titans, but I also care for my players and if there is a family problem or something going on behind the scenes I’m unaware of.

“If a player doesn’t want to be at your club, he won’t play well for you on the field.

“I’d have to sit down with him and see if I can help him on the field. Jarryd’s welfare will certainly come into it as well.”

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Roosters supremo Nick Politis expressed interest in Hayne 18 months ago following his return from the NFL, but says the club has moved on.

“I’m not interested in Jarryd,” Politis said.

“He’s too expensive now.

“You can’t keep jumping out of contracts. A few years ago we showed a bit of interest when he was coming back from the NRL but he’s getting older now, we won’t be chasing him.”