Kieran Foran has quit the NRL, where to now and what does it mean for Eels?

KIERAN Foran has sensationally quit the NRL. What does it mean for Hayne, who will take his place and could he join another club?

KIERAN Foran has sensationally quit the NRL. What does it mean for Hayne, who will take his place and could he join another club?

1. IS JARRYD HAYNE COMING HOME?

Unless Jarryd Hayne’s next dream is to replace Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City, a return to the Eels once his dalliance with rugby is finished seems assured.

There are issues with salary caps and contracts that need to be sorted out but for the first time in a while a return to the Eels for Hayne seems more likely than not.

Rumours of Hayne returning to the NRL with the Roosters have been in heavy circulation for some time but the two-time Dally M winner has been adamant that he would only ever make an NRL comeback for his former club.

Gaining a player of Hayne’s calibre, regardless of how much of his ability he’s lost chasing various dreams, would be a huge boost for the Eels and from an off field perspective the interest that would result from his homecoming would help the club move past their awful year.

2. COULD FORAN HEAD TO ANOTHER NRL CLUB?

As reported by Phil Rothfield in The Daily Telegraph on July 3, the Bulldogs and Roosters have shown keen interest in luring Foran.

The Kiwi star remains extremely tight with Bulldogs coach Des Hasler and almost signed with the Belmore club before eventually deciding to go to Parramatta.

The Eels and Foran would have to mutually agree to terminate contract before he can sign with another team. If that doesn’t happen Foran remains contracted to Eels for duration of his contract and his salary will count against Parramatta’s cap.

When asked about the possibility of signing Foran on Sky Racing’s Big Sport Breakfast, Hasler said ‘the person is more important than a game of footy’.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA — MAY 30: Kieran Foran of the Eels walks off injured during the round 12 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Parramatta Eels.

Kieran Foran (L) remains close to former coach Des Hasler.

3. WHAT DO PARRAMATTA DO WITH THEIR HALVES?

The Sterling curse lives on. Foran was supposed to be the man to end the tide of woe that has consumed the Parramatta halfback jersey since the great Peter Sterling retired in 1992.

From Tim Smith to Chris Sandow and now Foran, the Eels again find themselves in need of a seven. They currently have three on their books — former Raider Mitch Cornish, Luke Kelly and the returning Jeff Robson.

With Hayne’s possible return to take the majority of salary cap space and most halves already contracted for next season, options seem thin on the ground for Parramatta. Raiders backup Sam Williams and Melbourne five-eighth Blake Green are the two best options left on the market but other targets could include Daniel Mortimer or the Titans Cameron Cullen.

Mitch Cornish is one option in the halves for the Eels. Picture: Mark Evans

The Eels recently signed Jeff Robson. Picture: Gregg Porteous

4. WHAT DO NEW ZEALAND DO?

Foran has been an automatic selection for New Zealand for over a decade and played a huge part in their 2014 Four Nations victory. With another Four Nations scheduled for the end of the season and a World Cup in 2017 the Kiwis are going to struggle to fill the void in such a short span of time.

Does Benji Marshall come into contention? Will Marshall even have an NRL deal next season? Should New Zealand look to Corey Norman, who is eligible for the Kiwis and the Maroons? Will Te Maire Martin be thrown into the fray? The Kiwis are neck and neck at the top of the tree with the Kangaroos and how they replace Foran could decide the balance of power in international rugby league.

What chance Benji Marshall wins selection for the Kiwis?

5. ANY CHANCE FORAN SWITCHES CODES?

The lure of French Rugby’s riches, as well as the opportunity to remove himself from the Australian media bubble, might be appealing to Foran. And, when fit and well, he clearly has the requisite skills to make him a candidate for a successful switch. TV money in the Top 14 league continues to roll in and clubs would have little trouble matching any salary demands. However, the official transfer window is currently closed for the northern hemisphere summer and so a straight switch would be problematic (though not impossible, with rules allowing for short-term signings to cover injury for example). Also against him are recently tightened local rules stipulating requirements for clubs to sign and field a large proportion of French players and young players for development. With places more limited for overseas stars, clubs in France may be unwilling to take a punt on Foran, even if that was an option he wanted to explore.