Brad Arthur praises Jarryd Hayne’s commitment after improved showing in pre-season

SO you thought Jarryd Hayne had lost his heart for the NRL? Well, think again. Brad Arthur reckons Hayne’s attitude has been “unbelievable” since returning to the club that made him a star.

JARRYD Hayne left the Gold Coast with his reputation in tatters because of a lacklustre attitude that left many questioning if he still had his heart in the NRL.

But Brad Arthur’s message to Parramatta fans is that Hayne has been “unbelievable” since returning to Sydney, and Arthur is having no regrets about giving the much maligned star a second chance.

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The Eels wrapped up a pre-season training camp on the Central Coast with a 5.9 kilometre torture test around the sand dunes at Soldiers Beach which was won convincingly by Daniel Alvaro.

The young prop who carried the entire Canterbury front-row across for one of last year’s most memorable tries has a reputation within the club for his huge motor.

And Alvaro didn’t disappoint with his effort, beating home young Cronulla halves recruit Jaeman Salmon while Mitchell Moses was third.

Hayne has improved since he returned to Parramatta. Picture by Benjamin Quevas.

“They finish anywhere between mid-40s and 60 minutes. Daniel won by about two minutes,” Arthur said.

“It is something a bit different.

“I don’t know if conditioning-wise it does a great deal for you, it is just more of a real mental challenge.

“Daniel is a great runner.

“He is getting bigger and bigger but he just goes all day.”

Arthur said Clint Gutherson was filthy he didn’t get a chance to set the pace with the club choosing not to take any risks as he gets back to full fitness after knee surgery.

Not that Gutherson took it easy, still leaving his teammates in awe as he climbed the biggest dune 28 times.

“Most of the blokes are on all fours crawling up that dune. Gutho didn’t touch the sand once,” Arthur said.

The two-time Dally M winner could be on his last

While Arthur was never expecting Hayne to set the pace, Arthur said his attitude deserves some credit after the caning he copped last year.

“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 said.

“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.”

Alvaro has impressed with his work ethic during the pre-season.

Hayne will be most likely playing in the centres this year with Gutherson expected to ultimately own the No 1 jumper when he gets back on the field.

Bevan French will probably start the season at fullback but regardless of where they all end up the one certainty is that the Eels’ backline won’t be lacking fire power.

Parramatta actually still have two spots available in the 30-man squad and Arthur has the salary cap space to make a significant purchase if the right player comes along between now and round one.

With Radradra unlikely to return from French rugby anytime soon, Arthur is on the lookout.

Asked if he would be most interested in another top line forward or back, Arthur said: “It is probably not going to be what position we are after. It will be the right person.

“We have been patient the last 12 to 18 months with what we have needed to do and there is something that always comes up.

“We still have a bit of time up our sleeve.”

Originally published as Brad Arthur praises Jarryd Hayne’s commitment after improved showing in pre-season