Jarryd Hayne's exclusion from the opening NSW Origin team, in my view, could be the best thing for both Hayne's career and the Parramatta club.
What is clear is that Hayne will struggle to represent either NSW or Australia in the fullback position in the future. With Billy Slater having a lock on the Kangaroos jersey and now Josh Dugan looking likely to cement the fullback position for NSW, Hayne is clearly out of favour in what has been his preferred position.
What's more, selectors at both the Australian and NSW level, have signalled clearly that Hayne is no longer viewed as a winger.
I'm sure all of this can be put down to Hayne playing his club football in more of the fashion of a five-eighth than as a fullback. Hayne has blossomed into one of the game's most gifted ball-players and as was shown by his bag full of try-assists on the weekend, he is as good as any player in the competition at putting his outside men into holes.
Outside of Darren Lockyer, I believe Jarryd Hayne would be the best five-eighth in the competition were he playing in that position.
I can't help but think that the club's reluctance to move Hayne to five-eighth, has had quite a lot to do with Hayne not wanting to jeopardise his representative chances.
That is no longer a factor. If Hayne wants to play rep football in the future, it will be as a five-eighth.
Both Stephen Kearney and Jarryd now have been given a very clear mandate to make the switch.
Firstly, it could just save Parramatta's season. The Eels simply have not been able to bed down a structure with Hayne playing such a dominant role from the back as our halves have never managed to settle into a role that called for them to take a back-seat when Hayne wanted to be involved, but step-up when the game called for control as was the case last night.
If Hayne is viewed as a six, the Eels will go into next year with arguably the two most dynamic halves in the NRL, in Chris Sandow and Hayne. Both these players are capable of doing anything with the football and I believe they could establish themselves as the best set of halves in the competition. It would simplify recruitment for the Eels who could concentrate on recruiting outside backs/fullback - a far easier proposition than finding halves.
But most of all, it's what is best for Jarryd's career. Just as Darren Lockyer's game went to another level when he was moved to five-eighth, I'm confident that Jarryd's game would benefit in exactly the same way. As a pivot, I believe Jarryd would establish himself as the best player in the game.
It's time, Parramatta. Jarryd Hayne must moved to five-eighth and that change must be made immediately, starting with the Eel's next match against the Sharks.
Replies
It's so obvious, Hayne's game (especially his passing game) is perfect for 6.
He has size, wicked foot work at the line, strength and greater vision then he did in '09 when he was trialed there.
It's about time to stop fuc%ing around and do the obvious thing,
Hayne 6
Burt 1 (but you can pick 1 of 2 0r 3 guys there)
Morts to Wenty
i
Lets see if our season changes.
One thing I do know we need to improve in and thats defence.
Run at Reddy and 90% of time they will run outside him and score.
If the coach is not willing to put Reddy on the wing we wont score enough to win games with reddy defending like a Country Dunny Door in a Cyclone.
Hanye still has not got his positional play fixed and is never there stopping try's
if he can fix that up and show more energy then he is shoe in.
What has Duggan showed this year wait let me think thats right 2 trys and 5 weeks of injury.
How have the raider been playing fcking shit.
And yet Ricky the mofo worst ever coach in the history of NRL thinks duggan is better than hayne.
I say thinks Ricky we have hayne and the Sharkies are going to feel some pain.
How can something like this appear so obvious but ignored by those who matter?
I don't think so - I think if you viewed both games on the weekend, there is no way in the world anyone could pick Dugan over Hayne. The fact that Dugan still got picked is because they view him as the long-term fullback and I'd be willing to bet that they stick with him regardless of what happens.
Unless Dugan is injured, I would suggest Jarryd has more chance of being in a NSW six jersey than a one jersey.
I think Queensland will give Soward hell - there is every chance we'll be looking for a new six after the first game.
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