Brad Arthur beats Jarryd Hayne in Parramatta Eels pre-season fitness course

JARRYD Hayne has never been a strong trainer in the pre-season, but during Parramatta’s recent training camp on the Central Coast he was beaten home in a fitness test by coach Brad Arthur.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — JANUARY 03: Jarryd Hayne and Coach Brad Arthur (L) after a press conference after Parramatta Eels training at Old Saleyards Reserve on January 3, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

JARRYD Hayne has never been a strong pre-season trainer, but during Parramatta’s recent training camp on the Central Coast the prodigal Eel was beaten home in a fitness test by coach Brad Arthur.

Speaking on NRL 360 on Monday night, Fox Sports’ chief NRL reporter revealed Hayne finished dead last in a gruelling five kilometre obstacle course while Arthur finished in the top 10.

“I saw them run some sand dunes and complete a five kilometre hectic obstacle course and what I got out of that was — Jarryd Hayne did finish in last position” Hooper said.

Hayne reportedly struggled during Parramatta’s pre-season camp.

“Jarryd has never been a tremendous pre-season trainer.

“We know that from when Ricky Stuart had him at the Eels and all his coaches will tell you pre-season is not where Jarryd does his best work.”

Given Arthur’s reputation as a fitness fanatic and his previous praise of Hayne’s work ethic since his move from the Gold Coast, it’s unlikely that the Eels are hitting panic stations but the news is slightly embarrassing for the two-time Dally M winner.

“He is never going to win that sort of stuff but you know what, when we are doing our footy stuff and speed work he is in the best couple,” Arthur told the Saturday Telegraph.

“It was the same with Semi Radradra.

“Semi would be last but you have to remember they are different athletes.

“Jarryd’s attitude has been great, unbelievable.

“He has done everything since he has been here.

“He is training really well.

“Like I said, he is never going to win a time trial or a sand dune run but he is getting fitter and he is getting better.”

Hayne had previously come under fire for lagging behind in Parramatta’s fitness work earlier this month after he was spotted trailing behind Arthur’s 12-year old son.

The son of Brad Arthur is pictured accelerating past Jarryd Hayne.

Host Ben Ikin agreed with the assessment of Hayne.

“He looks to me like he’s struggling, like he’s not handling the workload.”

The 29-year old is yet to regain the form he showed in his last year with the Eels in 2014.

Hayne seems to have yet to recover from his stint in the NFL, where he reformed his body to deal with the rigours of the gridiron.

“You can really see the strength work he had to put in his body physically in the NFL,” observed Hooper.

“He’s got a huge rump. It’s not fat, it’s just big, it’s rotund.”

Originally published as Brad Arthur beats Jarryd Hayne in Parramatta Eels pre-season fitness course