Jarryd Hayne: Mal Meninga rips star over push to leave Titans

Jarryd Hayne has been given a serve by Mal Meninga amid reports he has demanded to leave the Gold Coast Titans.

Jarryd Hayne is believed to have told the Titans he wants to return to Sydney. Picture: Evan Morgan

Jarryd Hayne has been given a serve by rugby league legend Mal Meninga amid renewed speculation over his future at the Gold Coast Titans.

The Kangaroos coach said Hayne had “let the Titans down” as it emerged the 29-year-old was pushing for a return to Sydney.

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Gold Coast officials say they expect their star outside back to return for pre-season training once his World Cup commitments are over.

Jarryd Hayne has used social media to deny reports he has instructed his manager to find him a club in Sydney.

Hayne, in camp with the Fijian side at the World Cup, took to twitter this afternoon following speculation he was poised to ask for a release from the Gold Coast Titans.

Hayne wrote: ”I have NOT instructed my manger to SPEAK to teams in Sydney. #slownewsday.”

Hayne’s denial came after a frenzied morning in whch he was linked with a return to his former club Parramatta. The Eels have room under the salary cap and could play Hayne at fullback, although he would likely be required to take a pay cut given he earns in excess of $1 million a season at the Gold Coast.

The Titans are unlikely to provide him with a pay-out if he does decide to leave given they have no desire to let him go.

He has a year remaining on his million-dollar deal with the Gold Coast but The Daily Telegraph this morning reported that he had informed the Titans he wanted to return to Sydney.

I have NOT instructed my manger to SPEAK to teams in Sydney. @BuzzRothfield #slownewsday https://t.co/P09ka5kpl8

— jarryd hayne (@JarrydHayne) November 2, 2017

The report has cast fresh doubt over Hayne’s future on the Gold Coast, although Titans chief executive Graham Annesley told The Australian the club expected Hayne to return after he had completed his international duties with Fiji.

Hayne’s future was cast into doubt at the end of last season but the club ultimately chose their star player over their coach, leading to the sacking of Neil Henry.

Henry’s replacement Garth Brennan insisted he wanted to retain Hayne and hadn’t ruled out extending his deal.

However, if that is to happen he will need to do some convincing given the latest revelations surrounding the former NFL star. Hayne, who spent a large part of his career at Parramatta before a short stint with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL, was linked with a return to Sydney on his return from America but eventually inked a big-money deal with the Titans.

News that he is keen again on a move back to Sydney throws another name into a playmaking pot that is bubbling away. Only a handful of clubs could afford to make a play for Hayne, although there is expected to be a flurry of movement in coming weeks amid speculation over the futures of Cronulla five-eighth James Maloney, Penrith utility Matt Moylan, Sydney Roosters pair Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary, and Manly pivot Blake Green.

Australia coach Mal Meninga has taken aim at Jarryd Hayne amid reports that he wants to leave the Titans. Picture: AAP

‘He’s let the Titans down’

Australian coach Mal Meninga, who overlooked Hayne for the World Cup, claimed the Titans back hadn’t played well enough to walk out on the club.

“Honestly, I think he’s let the Titans down,” Meninga said. “He hasn’t played well enough to do that. I think he needs to make sure that he stays at the club and plays the best he possibly can for them. They’re the ones who invested in him and he hasn’t invested back in the club.”

Meninga also agreed with suggestions that Hayne’s potential exit was disappointing given the part he played in Henry’s axing.

“Yeah, I agree with that. I think that’s pretty ordinary what happened there. That’s just my thoughts,” Meninga said.

Meninga insisted he had no issues with players moving clubs as long as they were committed to the club they were at.

“They put the effort in through the year and then they choose to leave? I’m happy with that,” Meninga said.

“But if they don’t put the effort in and you let your mates down and the club down I think you’ve got an obligation to stay at the club and do the right thing by them.”

Club responds

The Titans put out a statement this morning reiterating Hayne was a contracted player for next season.

“The Titans have not been in negotiation with any other club regarding the future of Jarryd Hayne,:” the statement said.

“There has been no application made for Jarryd to be released from his Titans contract. It is the Titans expectation that Jarryd will return for pre season training after his World Cup commitments with Fiji, and his annual leave entitlements, have been completed.

“The club will not be making any further comment on the matter unless any of the above circumstances unexpectedly change.”