Jarryd Hayne’s extra efforts have caught Brad Arthur’s eye as Eels star aims for new deal
THESE are the inspiring efforts and game-changing plays from Jarryd Hayne which could deliver him a new contract at Parramatta.
Eels
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eels. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THESE are the inspiring efforts and game-changing plays from Jarryd Hayne which could deliver him a new contract at Parramatta.
Eels coach Brad Arthur has identified the character-building moments from Hayne which he believes illustrates renewed commitment from the two-time Dally M winner and how he can perform when fit.
Hayne, who is without a contract next year, has shown glimpses of his best football in recent weeks.
FARCE: Bunker was in the dark on Raiders robbery
NEW DIET: Leilua scales new heights after ditching Maccas
But surprisingly, it hasn’t been his hallmark brilliance or sizzling attack which has caught the attention of his coach and teammates.
Rather, it has been his willingness to work hard in the effort areas of kick-chase and kick-pressure.
“We did a video session prior to playing Canterbury (on Thursday night) where one particular effort against Newcastle, the week before, was highlighted,’’ Arthur said.
“It was from a tap re-start and although we already had three blokes in the tackle, Jarryd came spearing in low at the legs, which allowed us to put the Knights player on his back.
“That set the tempo for that entire defensive set from us. I know his middle forwards commented on what that effort from Jarryd meant to them.
“They’re real efforts which have probably not been common in his game.
“There’s been pieces of that, that he’s been doing.
“Against Canterbury, all the effort areas, were enormous.
“He would’ve had four or five kick pressures against Bulldogs. His kick-chase and kick-pressure was unreal.
“In the first 15 minutes against Canterbury we were under the pump and we couldn’t get into our red zone.
“And then Jarryd came up with a nice selective offload and then the very next play, he pushed up and got us a penalty which got us down the other end of the field.
“It was a real momentum changer for us and gave us a sniff because I don’t know how much more try line defence we would’ve been able to do.
“In the past, he (Hayne) may not have been involved in the next play.
“But this time, he was able to back-up the play and earn us the penalty.
“Even a month ago, in his first game back from injury against the Cowboys, he was the one who got down in kick-chase and forced a couple of errors which we scored off.
“There’s a willingness there.’’
Arthur put Hayne’s increased commitment and energy down to one thing; his fitness levels.
“He’s doing extras,’’ Arthur said.
“The boys have been ribbing him every now and then because they’re sitting on the deck once training is finished watching him do his extra five or six minutes here or there.
“We’ve had a couple of longer turn-arounds in our schedule where we’ve been able to get some extra work into him - and he’s got it done.’’
Hayne only joined the Eels for pre-season training in January following his World Cup campaign with Fiji.
He then missed seven weeks with a foot injury, returning for the Eels in round 14 against the Cowboys.
Arthur said that if Hayne re-signs, he will start 2019 with a full-bank of pre-season training under his belt.
“The plan is, he needs to be there on November 1 so that we can get the most out of him next year,’’ Arthur said.
“As opposed to what he did this year, on our first day back in January.
“Players are at totally different level of training from what they’re doing in November to what they’re doing in January.
“All the other boys had been doing it for seven weeks before he got a chance at it.
Asked if he thought Hayne would play-on with the Eels next year, Arthur said: “I don’t know.
“He’s not saying a lot.
“But this hasn’t been the year that he and we all, would’ve liked.
“I think he would like to finish on a good note and he would love nothing more to help leave the club in a good place.’’
Watch every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. SIGN UP NOW >