Jarryd Hayne to spend more time at fullback as Parramatta try to kickstart season
JARRYD Hayne looks set to spend more time at fullback as Parramatta coach Brad Arthur begins a desperate bid to get the Eels faultering campaign off the tarmac.
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THE Hayne Plane looks set to spend more time at fullback in a desperate bid to get Parramatta’s spluttering campaign off the tarmac.
Following the 54-0 hammering against Manly, the Eels know they must get Jarryd Hayne more ball — and that will only happen by allowing him to spend more time at the back and not stranded out at right centre.
Coach Brad Arthur has given Bevan French first crack at fullback, and although named in the No.1 for Saturday’s clash against Cronulla at ANZ Stadium, French will share the role with Hayne.
Time will tell if Hayne makes the permanent move to the No.1 jersey he famously wore for the club before he pursued his NFL dream at the end of 2014.
Fans spent most of the summer debating if Hayne, French or the injured Clint Gutherson was their best long-term fullback option.
French has a bright future but has been well contained in the opening two losses, and Hayne still poses more of a danger when returning the ball. He did so when he spent time there in the Eels’ final trial.
French himself said before the season kicked off he was only 22 and happy to bide his time another season or two on the wing as he built up his strength and fitness.
Like Arthur, Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan was faced with a similar situation during the summer when he welcomed the arrival of noted fullback Josh Dugan — and Matt Moylan — but persevered with young incumbent Valentine Homes.
Flanagan, however, waited just one game before he flicked Holmes for Dugan.
Hayne had three tackle busts in the opening round against Penrith, while none of the Eels players came close to troubling Manly in the scorching heat on the weekend.
Co-captain Tim Mannah was giving nothing away yesterday, but said the Sea Eagles loss had nothing to do with players being out of position.
“The problem on the weekend was bigger than who was playing where, and as a group we went away from our little effort areas,’’ Mannah said.
“Haynesy is a handy player to have in our team. The more he plays with the team around him, the more comfortable he will get with the backline around him, and the more he will shine.’’
Mannah said the Sharks clash was always easy to get up for because of the Johnny Mannah Cup, named in honour of Tim’s late brother who passed away from Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013.
“It’s always a special game for the Mannah family, we look forward to it all year, but after the weekend, it’s easy to get up for. If we could have played the next day we would have,’’ Mannah said.
Tepai Moeroa was straight to the point when asked to explain the Brookvale bloodbath.
“Dropped ball, no possession, we missed too many tackles,’’ Moeroa said.
“Our attitude was s ... Everything. There was no want, no desire, and it showed. Manly played outstanding football, and they made us pay for our mistakes.’’