NATHAN Hindmarsh has backed the appointment of Jarryd Hayne and Reni Maitua as Parramatta co-captains in 2013 - with the retired champion declaring the responsibility will make Hayne a better footballer.
New coach Ricky Stuart will officially announce today that Hayne and Maitua will share the job Hindmarsh vacated following his retirement at the end of last season.
Captaincy a sign of Eel-volution
Hayne's critics were quick to belittle the decision this week when The Daily Telegraph first broke the story, with some suggesting Hayne doesn't have the right attitude to lead by example on or off the field.
But Hindmarsh is adamant the 25-year-old Hayne is ready to step up.
"I think with this added responsibility he will go to that next level," Hindmarsh said.
"We all can't be thrown in as a captain at a young age.
"Nathan Cayless was quite a young captain but he was ready for it but a lot of young blokes aren't ready for that responsibility.
"But I think the added responsibility now and the help from others in the club including Reni, I think he will do a good job.
"I think Haynsey has always wanted to lead, this just gives him a bit more responsibility that maybe he has been looking for.
Parramatta fans will be hoping to see the Hayne Plane take flight again in 2013. Picture: Phil Hillyard
"I think he will do a good job - and with Reni being a co-captain I think they can bounce things off each other pretty well."
There has long been a perception among fans that Hayne needs to do more on the field but statistics supplied by Fox Sports Stats give a true indication of just how much Hayne already contributes.
Despite playing just 12 games for the Eels last year Hayne still finished the season with the most try assists (14), the most line break assists (14), the second most line breaks (11), the fourth most tries (8) and averaged the equal most metres per game (152).
To put that in perspective Greg Inglis averaged 153m at fullback last season and Billy Slater averaged only 127m.
On top of that, since 2010 for all players to have started 20 or more games at fullback in the NRL, Hayne averages the most metres (162 per game).
In that same period, in all starting positions, Hayne has made 53 try assists - the next most for the Eels in that period is Daniel Mortimer with 10.
Hayne's appointment is just reward for the work he has put in over summer.
Coach Stuart said the superstar fullback was a standout performer during pre-season training, along with Fuifui Moimoi and Chris Sandow.
Replies
"since 2010 ... Hayne has made 53 try assists - the next most for the Eels in that period is Daniel Mortimer with 10."
Seriously.
The biggest stat I got out of this was that Hayne was almost on par with Greg Inglis in average running metres and how far ahead he is of Melbourne.
i'll give it til round 10 before hayne tries one of his trademark headshoves on reni!