Jarryd Hayne set to make first start for Gold Coast Titans

GEARING up for his first NRL start since 2014, the Gold Coast Titans have decided where they will use Jarryd Hayne.

No more bench warming for the Hayne Plane.

SUPERSTAR Gold Coast recruit Jarryd Hayne will make his first NRL start for the club at five-eighth in Saturday’s vital clash with Wests Tigers.

A dual Dally M Medallist as a fullback for Parramatta, code-hopper Hayne played 52 minutes — mostly in the halves — in his return to rugby league against the Warriors on Sunday and coach Neil Henry is in no hurry to move him from that position.

The Titans’ 24-14 loss in that match has dropped them from seventh to 10th on the ladder and leaves their hopes of a first finals appearance since 2010 hanging by a thread.

Henry said it was still uncertain whether Hayne would play the full 80 minutes against the Tigers but he was confident he was ready to start delivering for his new club.

“He was certainly tired at times but got through it okay,” Henry said of Hayne’s performance against the Warriors.

“He’s pulled up fine. We still have options around the rotation there anyway.”

Hayne has played a small portion of his career in the halves.

Regular five-eighth Tyrone Roberts’ knee injury and the good form of incumbent fullback David Mead made Henry’s decision on where to play Hayne a relatively easy one.

Although Hayne made his name as a fullback, he also played 14 matches for Parramatta at five-eighth.

Hayne also wore the No.6 jersey for City in the 2012 Country clash in Mudgee.

“He’s quite keen to fit in with the team,” Henry said.

“Everyone assumes he’ll be fullback but we see no real reason to throw him back there with Meady doing such a good job.”

Hayne’s positional selection means he won’t line up against incumbent NSW fullback James Tedesco, but it does set up a clash with another Tigers’ young gun — in-form pivot Mitchell Moses. Henry has no doubt Hayne can be successful in his return to league.

“He’s (Hayne) certainly showed he’s still got it, hasn’t he?” Henry said.

“He’s a great threat carrying the ball. It does put another question to the defensive line as well ... he’s looking forward to what’s best around the team.”

‘WE’VE HAD ENOUGH, HE’S HAD ENOUGH’

Hayne is fed up with the media attention.

The Titans’ loss in Hayne’s first appearance for his new club against the Warriors was a huge setback in Gold Coast’s bid to end their six-year wait for a finals spot.

Not only did the Warriors leap over the Titans with their victory but wins to the Tigers and Penrith elevated both Sydney clubs above Gold Coast as well.

It’s left coach Neil Henry in no doubt about just how important Saturday’s match is.

“It’s a game that we’re desperate to win. We drop this game, we’re long odds of making the finals this year,” Henry said.

The Titans have won three of their past four encounters against the Tigers, including a 30-18 win earlier this year at Robina. After last week’s Hayne-mania following the 28-year-old’s arrival on a two-year deal, Henry is hoping for a more low-key build-up for his team.

But he admits that will be difficult, given Hayne will be playing for the first time in western Sydney since leaving Parramatta to chase a dream of playing in the American NFL.

“We’ve had enough. He’s had enough,” Henry said of the media attention surrounding the dual Dally M winner.

“It’s still going to be media anyway when he goes down to play Campbelltown, playing his junior footy down there. That’s what it is.

“Positive for the game, that generates a few more fans at Campbelltown. I’m sure Wests Tigers will be happy about that too.”

Henry says getting on top of Tigers young guns Mitchell Moses and James Tedesco will be crucial if his team is to come away from the match with their finals’ hopes intact.

“Moses has been good. Tedesco’s been sensational at the back,” he said.

“They’ve got good speed; they like to play a quick game with good ball movement; it’s a big challenge for us at Campbelltown.”