Titans deny they want to offload Jarryd Hayne, as deadline for contract extension looms

TITANS boss Graham Annesley has slammed rumours the club wants to offload Jarryd Hayne to free up salary cap funds as D-Day looms for the Gold Coast ace.

The Titans have denied they are looking to move Hayne on. Photo: David Clark

TITANS boss Graham Annesley has slammed rumours the club wants to offload Jarryd Hayne to free up salary-cap funds as D-Day looms for the Gold Coast ace.

The Courier-Mail understands Hayne is a fortnight away from advising the Titans whether he intends taking up a $1 million option for next season.

Sydney clubs are baulking at signing Hayne, with NRL rivals privately claiming the Titans hope Hayne doesn’t activate a 12-month extension to save the club money given his injury-riddled stint.

But Annesley came out swinging on Wednesday, hitting back at speculation the Titans don’t want the superstar ahead of his possible return against Cronulla on Saturday.

PEATS DOESN’T WANT TO TALK ORIGIN

CRONK WILL DECIDE FUTURE AFTER ORIGIN

The Titans have denied they are looking to move Hayne on. Photo: David Clark

“People who suggest this club doesn’t want Jarryd to stay here are 100 per cent wrong. They are being mischievous and trying to create instability in our club,” he said.

“The option for next year is in Jarryd’s favour. Of course we would love him to stay at the Titans.

“Everyone knows that he has the ability to be one of the best players in the game again and we want to see him produce that for the Titans over the remainder of this year and stay with us for 2018.

“We’re just waiting on an answer from Jarryd.

“There’s a bit of a misunderstanding in the media that we have to sit down and negotiate with Jarryd. We don’t. We’ve already negotiated a contract for next year, he just has to say yes I’m taking it up or no I’m not.

“There’s nothing to negotiate other than Jarryd making the decision when he feels comfortable making it.

“We’ve got lots of other decisions to make under the salary cap for 2018 and Jarryd is one piece in the puzzle.”

Hayne holds all the aces and the sooner he makes a decision the better it will be for the Titans who must have a contingency plan in place if he decides to walk.

The 29-year-old hasn’t played since injuring his ankle in round 2, but is likely to return against the Sharks either in his favoured position of fullback or from the bench.

“It’s good to see him back,” teammate Tyrone Roberts said.

“We need a bit of confidence and that’s what he brings to the team. It’s going to be good for the team.

“I’m not sure where we’ll be playing. We’ve all trained in different positions so we’ll have to wait and see.”

The Titans need Hayne back off the sidelines. Photo: Scott Fletcher

Hayne’s decision to join the Titans on the verge of their drought-breaking finals appearance last season following his return from the NFL sent shockwaves through the NRL.

The club’s board played a major role in signing him, knowing the commercial impact he could have on the rebuilding franchise.

Hayne has delivered dollars into the Gold Coast’s coffers and the time has now come for him to deliver on the field.

“The profile of our club has gone through the roof since we signed Jarryd Hayne,” Annesley said.

“We were national news for days when we signed Jarryd and not just in the rugby league states and sports section, but even internationally. Commercially, he has been a huge coup for club. Not only do the Titans benefit when he plays, the whole game does.

“We were only in the news in Sydney for bad reasons, thanks to Jarryd we have had national stories that are good for the club. “

Originally published as Titans deny they want to offload Jarryd Hayne, as deadline for contract extension looms