Jarryd Hayne no guarantee to stay with Gold Coast Titans

THE Titans face an enormous battle to retain Jarryd Hayne, who cannot guarantee he will stay on the Gold Coast and will consider any offer from any sport.

JARRYD Hayne cannot guarantee he will stay at the Titans and says he will consider any offer from any sport — including $1 million deals from European rugby clubs.

Just six months after Hayne was trumpeted as the greatest signing in Gold Coast history, the Titans face an enormous battle to retain the two-time Dally M superstar.

In a candid interview with The Courier-Mail, Hayne admits criticism of his code-hopping feats “pisses me off”, saying he is an athlete keeping an open mind on his professional sporting options.

Off-contract this season, Hayne has an option in his favour to remain at the Titans in 2018.

But the NFL pioneer revealed he has interest from French rugby and has not ruled out emulating Toulon recruit Ben Barba by again heading overseas.

“There has definitely been interest from them (French rugby) and for me, it’s the timing of it and whether I want to chance my arm at it,” said Hayne, who suffered a minor knee injury over the weekend at the NRL Nines.

Jarryd Hayne has an option in his favour to remain at the Titans in 2018.

“Everything is an option, I don’t like to live in narrow vision.

“I played rugby when I was growing up. As a kid I did a lot of sports. That’s why it pisses me off when everyone carries on when someone changes sports.

“As kids, we are encouraged to try every sport we can, so as an adult, why should that change?

“That’s my stand on things. We get paid to do a job and we have to work our asses off at training, but once that contract is finished, if someone wants to try something different, that’s up to them.”

Hayne is enjoying his stint at the Gold Coast and the attacking sensation relished his cameo in Titans colours at the Nines.

But Hayne, who turns 29 tomorrow week, says his NFL journey with San Francisco taught him not to be a one-dimensional sportsman.

“At the end of the day, I consider myself an athlete,” he said.

Jarryd Hayne relished his cameo in Titans colours at the Nines.

“I’ve played multiple sports and signed multiple deals.

“I was an athlete as a kid. I chose rugby league, it didn’t choose me. I chose to play league and I gave it all I’ve got for nine years at Parra and now I’m giving it all I’ve got at the Titans.

“Don’t get me wrong — rugby league has opened up huge doors and I love the game and respect the game. But there’s nothing wrong if someone does something different to test their ability and athleticism.

“I like to broaden my horizons. I’m 28, about to turn 29, and I have to look after my future, whether it’s league or another sport.

“It might even be a different adventure that isn’t sport at all. I will consider anything. I just want to have fun in whatever I do.”

Jarryd Hayne has received interest from French rugby clubs.

Titans recruitment chief Tony Mestrov vowed to fight hard to keep Hayne in rugby league on the Gold Coast.

“We would really love to keep Jarryd,” he said.

“Jarryd is our marquee player, our X-factor, so we’d love to see him stay for the longer term.

“I can understand if Jarryd wants to look at his options. He’s doing the right thing from a business perspective and there’s nothing wrong with that.

“But rugby league and the Titans need him. He is great for the code with his brand and his profile has helped us commercially.

“At the moment, Jarryd is settled and when the time is right, we’ll sit down to discuss a contract extension. I expect that to happen in the coming months.”

Originally published as Jarryd Hayne no guarantee to stay with Gold Coast Titans