Eddie Hayson’s plea as Kieran Foran faces uncertain NRL future

WITH Kieran Foran unlikely to be registered in time to play round one, controversial punter Eddie Hayson has made an impassioned plea to the NRL.

CONTROVERSIAL punter Eddie Hayson has made an impassioned plea to allow Kieran Foran to return to the game, denying suggestions the pair ­remain close.

The Daily Telegraph revealed last week that the NRL is unlikely to register Foran in time to play the first round for the New Zealand Warriors.

One condition for Foran to clear his path to return to the NRL was he must not have any contract with Hayson.

The Saturday Telegraph understands that NRL ­officials have some reservations about Foran’s ongoing relationship with Hayson, which has been part of the ­reason for the delay in the former Parramatta Eel being cleared to return.

But Hayson is adamant he had not seen Foran for months.

“I was distressed to learn that the reason Kieran won’t be cleared to return is because we’ve been in contact,” Hayson said.

“I haven’t seen him for over three months. I haven’t been hanging out with him. I haven’t had any contact with him.”

Kieran Foran is no certainty to run out with the Warriors in round one. Picture: photosport.nz

An NRL spokesman said “the review of the Kieran Foran case is ongoing”.

It is expected Foran will be cleared to play at some stage this year but he could miss up to the first six games before being allowed to resume his career.

The Warriors play his former club Parramatta in round six.

Foran has not played in the NRL since his nine-game stint at the Eels ended in May.

Hayson pleaded with the NRL to allow Foran to resume his career.

“I’m still gobsmacked,” Hayson said.

“I want to know what he has done wrong.

“I just wish for Kieran’s sake that the NRL would clear him so he is able to get on with his life, as he has done nothing wrong.”

Foran said last September he was “happy to pull the pin’’ on his relationship with Hayson if the NRL needed him to.

Eddie Hayson and Kieran Foran pictured together last year.

The pair remained close while Foran stayed on the Central Coast after being granted compassionate leave by the Eels last April.

Foran had been rushed to hospital after overdosing on prescription medication.

Hayson later claimed his friend “probably wouldn’t be alive’’ if he wasn’t in Foran’s life during this dark period, when he walked out on his $5 million Eels deal and separated from his partner.

They have been close for about a decade and have previously gambled together, last being pictured at the Gosford races in August.

Foran has made some headway with the game’s governing body since signalling his intentions to return to rugby league with the Auckland-based club.

The Warriors host Newcastle in round one.

They will welcome back former Sydney Rooster Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who played just seven games in his first season with the Warriors before ­suffering a season-ending ACL injury.

The Warriors are on the sixth line of premiership betting with the TAB, rated an $11 chance, the same as Cronulla.