JARRYD Hayne has declared himself a leader of NSW — but sternly stressed he won’t be the Blues’ saviour.
Hayne has been tagged NSW’s main hope of toppling all-conquering Queensland on Wednesday night — the Parramatta star in form reminiscent of his extraordinary deeds in 2009.
Aware he is no longer a brash kid, Hayne described himself as a “leader” but baulked when asked whether he was the man to single-handedly beat Queensland.
Asked did he hate being labelled NSW’s saviour, Hayne told The Daily Telegraph: “Probably the saying more than anything else because it’s not true.
“It won’t happen — it is going to be a team effort.
“I might finish off but it’s not the way it is going to happen. Thirteen players on the field, 17 on the park are going to have to get involved.
“Everyone needs to do what they have been brought in for and I am confident they will.
“You would rather come in under the radar. It’s about everyone doing their job — that’s what wins games.”
Wednesday night will be Hayne’s 18th Origin game.
“I am a leader now,” Hayne said. “Before I would come in I would just do the little things.
“But now you not only have to do the little things but, at times, you need to pull that big play out. It’s something I enjoy, it comes with maturity.
“In the two sessions this year I am definitely talking more than usual.
“I definitely need to be very vocal and help the direction of the team.
“(Expectation) isn’t something I shy away from or think it’s not right.
“It is what comes with (the territory). It’s part and parcel of the game.
“It is one thing being at the top of your game, it’s another being able to cope with it when you are there and to keep level-minded.”
Replies
I was thinking of posting this but it wasn't up to Punk Floyds lofty standards.
A nothing article, no offence L3gEnd!
Of course he's not the saviour but he will go a long way in assisting in a blues victory. He has top quality players around him and if they fire then hayne will be instrumental in saving the blues but on his own, no chance.
We you pick nuffies like Hoffman and Scott we really need a saviour.
Origin, and Rugby League in general, is a lot about the psychological factors.
With Hayne being built up as NSW's only hope, I expect Queensland will try especially hard to dominate him, putting further doubts into the minds of NSW's other players.
This might sound airy-fairy, but if the Queensland coaches aren't thinking along these lines, they aren't doing their job properly. Hayne won't just be nullified; he'll be dominated.
Well, they can try.
He's our waterboy!!!!
Because our second row is a collection of nuffies, we only have two props, our halves lack play-making abilities, our hooker has missed 6 weeks of footie, etc.
How many NSW players can turn a game on its head? Hayne, and..... Who else?
How many QLD players can turn a game on its head? Slater, Inglis, Hodges, Thurston, Cronk, Smith, Cherry-Evans.
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