Jarryd Hayne stats that matter: Why he can help the Titans win a title

JARRYD Hayne’s past NRL record indicates he is just what the Titans need to help them become true premiership contenders.

JARRYD Hayne’s past NRL record indicates he is capable of contributing just what the Titans need to help them become true premiership contenders.

The Titans ranked equal last in tackle busts (20.4 per game) and 14th in line breaks (3.5 per game) in the first 20 rounds of a season in which they have dug themselves into a serious finals challenge.

Hayne, in his last season of NRL in 2014, made more line breaks (26) than any other player and was Parramatta’s statistical leader in line break assists (24).

The Eels fullback was second in his team try assists, 16.

Titans recruit Jarryd Hayne will add a lot to their attack.

By comparison, 2014 premiers South Sydney’s highest figures in these categories were line breaks, 21 (Alex Johnston); line break assists, 16 (John Sutton) and try assists, 17 (Adam Reynolds).

Hayne was second in the NRL tryscorers list in 2014 with 20 behind Johnston (21).

While Hayne has been out of rugby league for almost two seasons, he is 28 – turning 29 in February – and therefore his speed and agility might not be far off what he was producing for Parramatta in 2014.

That was also the year when he was one of the best players for a Blues side which enjoyed in their only winning Origin series in the past 11.

In the four weeks between rounds 17-20, Fox Sports Stats show the Titans improved slightly in key attacking statistics, ranking 11th in both line breaks (4.3 per game) and tackle busts (24.3).

In a 90-minute draw with Cronulla last Monday in round 21, Gold Coast managed just four line breaks.

Jarryd Hayne could play this weekend.

While there were 24 tackle busts against one of the best defences in the premiership, only 10 were made by starting Titans backs.

“This adds another strike player on our roster,’’ Titans coach Neil Henry said today.

Hayne’s lack of competitive impacts in 2015, when he started his short-lived NFL career with San Francisco, and 2016 could also extend his career in league should he stay in the sport beyond his two-year Titans contract.

Among the intangibles about a player which statistics do not measure, he is one NSW Origin star without much personal baggage in the eyes of Queenslanders.

While the fixation of the Sydney media with Hayne was viewed as overkill by many in Queensland, he did not play outside the rules as teammates including Paul Gallen, Josh Reynolds and Greg Bird did during his eight-year service for the Blues.

HAYNE’S LAST NRL SEASON IN 2014

Jarryd Hayne in 2014

Games 21

Tries 20 (2nd in NRL)

Avg Possessions 30.8

Avg Runs 14.6

Avg Metres 178 (1st)

Tackle Busts 132 (2nd)

Linebreaks 26 (1st)

Linebreak assists 24 (3rd)

Try Assists 16

Errors 28

Penalties 14

Avg Tackles 3.1

Avg Missed Tackles 1.3

Source: Fox Sports Stats