Jan. 30, 2018, SPORTINGNEWS
Matthew Johns says Eels fans shouldn’t focus on Jarryd Hayne’s fitness woes at pre-season, but instead take positives out of his change of attitude.
Footage of a sluggish Hayne trailing behind his teammates, and even coach Brad Arthur, went viral on Tuesday, calling into question his commitment and focus.
The Parramatta recruit finished dead last in a 5km run on the Central Coast almost a month after he was spotted struggling behind much larger men, including Tim Mannah, at his first session with his new club.
But these are encouraging signs that Hayne is willing to change, according to Johns.
Why? Because the Jarryd Hayne of old wouldn’t have even been on the running track.
“If I’m a Parra fan, I’m encouraged that he is actually out there doing the training,’’ Johns told The Triple M Grill Team.
'‘I reckon it’s been over a decade since he’s done this type of training.
“He’s been the sort of guy, talking to Hindy (Nathan Hindmarsh), who thought he didn’t need this kind of training.
‘’He’d prefer the speed (kind of training). You can’t (pick your training), but Jarryd was renowned for running his own race to a certain extent.
‘’He’s gone back to Parramatta and in a lot of ways he’s out of chances. This is his last chance. He’s lobbed up with Brad Arthur - and Brad Arthur’s from the Craig Bellamy school of fitness – and he’s forced him to do this sort of training.
‘’At the moment his fitness levels are low but they’ll be on the improve. If I’m a Parramatta fan and I’m seeing this, even if he’s coming last, if he’s out there and he’s doing the k’s and he’s sweating the bullets, then for me that’s a good sign.’’
With the high-intensity nature of the modern day fullback position that demands a heavy running workload, Johns believes Hayne won’t be able to keep up with the pace.
Although the former Knight sees a bright future in the centres for the Blues star if he can match it up with Arthur in the time trial.
“I think the days of Jarryd playing fullback might be gone, certainly playing fullback over 80 minutes. But if he gets his fitness levels to a certain degree with his natural talent, then I’ve got no doubt he could turn into a first class centre once again.
“The sort of athlete he is…he’s never going to lead the way with fitness. If he can get his levels to a certain point then the signs are good.”
Arthur confirmed Bevan French will take on the fullback duties in Clint Gutherson’s absence throughout the early rounds of the season.
It leaves Hayne to fight it out with New Zealand international Brad Takairangi for the place on the edge.
Replies
Ye he sure does hay Frankie lol
No one can be right all the time especially when trying pick whether player will perform or be a star but what he said here is true.
Haynes attitude is different from previous years and even if he comes back at 70% he will still be top class centre.
spot on mate!
Absolutely 100% correct midget. Attitude is what enables success along with talent and Hayne now has a bit of both.
This is a pretty good article and to me Johns is on the money; Hayne isn’t a long distance runner; he’s a centre / winger and yes his days as FB may be gone. It’s about the effort and from all report Hayne has shown this and barring injury he will be good.
The media loves sticking the boot into him, they love portraying him in a bad light and the club to, so this will continue. Watching him with the ball in seasons 2009, 2010 the guy just played what's in front of him, but players like Reddy, Inu, Mortimer & Burt helped him by backing him up or giving him the ball early, but that might not happen this time around. Our new halves will be in control so he will have to adjust his game to suit the team. I'm sure the media will then start with this... Well he not the same player, of coarse he won't be the same player. If he starts being the player he once was that means he will have to call the shots. He won't be given that chance, so the new Hayne will be under huge pressure to do his magic. The structure won't allow him to do that, that's what we have to understand. Looking back at 2009 that year the whole team played well, he was just that little bit more special. The 2018 team need to work hard because now we not only have Hayne, but French, Moses, Gutho, Norman, Jennings will also be adding their own special touch. I wish him all the best!
I hope he shits on everyone !!!
How he plays is based more on his happiness than where he comes in a 5km race. You could tell he wasn't happy with going to the Titans from the beginning, he talked more about being disappointed he wasn't going to Parra than how happy he was to be with the Titans. No surprised he flopped. Now he is back where he wants to be i'm sure we'll see a return to form.
Put like that, how many of us have looked at our priorities and interests and sought to strike the balance that we feel works for us? Is Hayne anything other than normal, in that sense?
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