Eels Blogs

When you look across the history of rugby league, there have been players across every era that could change the momentum of the game.

Clive Churchill and Dally Messenger are held in the highest esteem, Reg Gasnier is widely respected, Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny, arguably the greatest ever halves combination. Wally Lewis dominated at Origin level. Andrew Johns could put the ball on a string. Currently Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston can dictate how and where the game is played.

Then you look at the mercurial 26 year old Parramatta fullback, Jarryd Hayne. He has showcased his skillset since his debut in 2006. First making his name as an intercept and finishing merchant. Then moving to fullback in 2009 and showing how truly special he is.

I wasn't alive to see Brett Kenny play. He's arguably the most natural ball-runner the game has ever seen. His try-scoring feats speak for themselves. But both Kenny's and Burt's standings as Parramatta's leading try-scorers is under threat. Hayne already has 92 tries to his name.

However, at his best, Hayne seems like he's from another planet. For a lot of his career he's carried his side on his young shoulders. Often drawing criticism for a poor attitude and lack of effort. 

2014 has seen a re-birth for Hayne. He's dominating in every facet of his game. He has shown an ability to position himself correctly in defence. He's matured in attack, knowing he doesn't need to try and come up with the magic play each time he gets the ball.

In last night's Origin, he tested out Thurston a number of times before deciding to take him on. He'd take the ball to the line and see what Thurston would do. Once he saw Thurston was unbalanced he accelerated to his outside, setting up the first try. 

The next time Hayne went that way he again looks to go around Thurston. JT's awake to it and in trying to come across, Hayne sees him coming so he straightens and powers over the line.

When NSW were barely making 30 metres in the second half, Hayne would take the ball, boot it 60 metres and force Queensland to work it out of their own half.

As the game wore down Inglis burst through the front line, Hayne put his body on the line and brought him to the ground. Then Thurston thought he saw Hayne out of position and grubbered through. Again, Hayne came across and forced the ball touch in goal.

The greatest criticism of Jarryd Hayne has been his inconsistency. Yet in 2014 he's produced consecutive performances of a high quality.

We're all aware of what Johnathan Thurston can do. He's been doing it for a decade. But he doesn't possess the absolute complete game that Hayne does.

Hayne can run, pass, kick and defend. Peter Sterling described him as having the size of Inglis, the speed of Slater, the kicking game of Lockyer and the hands of Thurston. A pretty big wrap on a player who is only just through half his career. 

Hayne is the player that can deliver the Eels a premiership. He's already taken them to one grand final. Given the resurgence the Eels have enjoyed this season, who's to say he can't take them one better in the not too distant future?