Jarryd Hayne back home and happy to buy into Brad Arthur’s team-first culture
JARRYD Hayne is back home at Parramatta and happy to put aside his hype to buy into Brad Arthur’s team-first culture while donning the blue and gold jersey.
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WHEN Jarryd Hayne last donned the blue and gold in 2014, he was the undisputed star of Parramatta’s show.
Flash forward three years and Hayne returned to Eels training on Wednesday flanked by a cast of talented players on the rise.
Corey Norman, Clint Gutherson and Bevan French — a prodigious flyer who surpassed Hayne’s rookie tryscoring record in 2016 — have all helped the Eels overcome monumental setbacks to become a genuine NRL force.
Parramatta’s balanced line-up was a welcomed sight for the Hayne Plane, who — despite attracting his usual media scrum yesterday — will not have to deal with the pressure of carrying the team.
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“I think we’ve got other stars than me,” Hayne said.
“That’s the biggest thing that really stood out for me coming in and not really having to have that presence.
“We’ve got guys like Mitch (Moses), Normy (Corey), Bev (French) and Gutherson. They are great young talents and hopefully I can help them.
“They all killed it last year. It wasn’t just one or two guys pulling the strings. It was everyone working as a unit and pushing each other.
“Talent wise, I haven’t seen a Parra team with this much talent from 1 to 17 and that is something to be excited about.
“For me, it is about coming and helping them go to that next level.”
Those comments are music to the hears of coach Brad Arthur, who has rebuilt the Eels with a team-first mentality.
He believes the dual Dally M medallist will thrive not having to carry the burden of Parramatta’s success on his broad shoulders.
“In 2014, we needed Jarryd to win games for us,” Arthur said. “Whereas now, he is not Parramatta he is part of the Parramatta team the same as any other individual in the team.
“And it will take pressure off him as well. He will flourish because he can come back and play his natural game and he won’t be expected to come up with something magical all the time.
“He will be required and expected to be consistent and play his role. On occasions we are going to need him to break the game open.
Jarryd Hayne trains with his new Eels teammates for the first time this morning, via @MattLogue7 https://t.co/hZqdlHXa9g pic.twitter.com/B8rX16oCsL
— telegraph_sport (@telegraph_sport) January 3, 2018
“But it is great to have Jarryd back. He did four sessions on his first day, including an extra cardio session at the end.
“There was a real buzz and excitement at training and he just slotted straight back in.”
Regardless of Hayne’s reduced role in the pressure stakes, he still faces the reality of being Parramatta’s prodigal son.
No matter where he goes or what he does, everyone in league land wants a piece of the Hayne Plane.
Serious civil court rape allegations ensured this hype went to another level at Parramatta training on Wednesday, when the biggest media contingent since the club’s salary cap scandal in 2016 were on hand to watch Hayne complete his first day.
The sight of extra attention would have sent a shiver down Arthur’s spine, given he has built a strong whole team focus at the Eels since Hayne’s departure.
Arthur regularly stresses, ‘No player is bigger than the team’s purpose’, and he will be determined to ensure Jarryd follows this mantra in a bid to ensure his side takes the next step after bombing out of the finals in straight sets last season.
Thankfully for the Eels’ faithful, the Hayne Plane is already signing from his coach’s hymn sheet.
He has no doubts the Eels can win the premiership in 2018, as long as they follow Arthur’s hardworking lead.
Asked if Parramatta were close to winning the competition, Hayne replied: Oh definitely and that is our goal.
“That is where we are aiming. But for us, it is about training hard.
“Seeing the guys last year going close to beating North Queensland, I know the guys are disappointed about how they finished last year and I think we are all on board to get the premiership.
“But we’ve got to get in shape and the rest will take care of itself.”
Hayne will most likely play in the centres for Parramatta next season, but said he was yet to talk to coach Arthur about positioning.
“I think fullback or centre are the positions I like the most, but then again it is all about what is best for the team,” he said.
“We are all pretty much fighting for positions. There are probably half a dozen locked in, but the rest of us are grinding away and doing our best.
“Last year I never thought I’d come back to Parra, but now I’m here and I’m happy to be home.”
Originally published as Jarryd Hayne back home and happy to buy into Brad Arthur’s team-first culture
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