JARRYD Hayne casually strolled out of the Parramatta team bus in the bowels of ANZ Stadium ready for the biggest game of his life.
He had just carried his Eels to the 2009 NRL grand final on the back of some of the most stunning individual performances of the modern era. He was the Dally M player of the year. No one could touch him.
NSW's Jarryd Hayne scores during game one. Source: News Corp Australia
Parramatta players entered the northern dressing room and were busy talking, confirming their tactics to take on the Melbourne Storm, some were listening to rap music and others quietly changing into their famous blue and gold strip.
That was then when Hayne went to his kit bag.
No boots.
“He left them at home and his roomie, Ben Smith, was playing so no-one was home to bring them,” recalls Hayne’s dad, former South Sydney centre Manoa Thompson.
“My brother had to jump into his car and race to Jarryd’s place to get them. I think he might even have had a police escort.
“Jarryd got the boots only a few minutes before kick-off.”
Laid-back and easygoing — yet beneath it all lies a footballing genius.
His performance in Origin I was among the best big-game performances you will ever see.
It is why the state, his teammates, every Blues fans who has lived through the past years of torture, believe in the Hayne Plane.
He could be another virtuoso 80-minute performance from delivering NSW their most significant State of Origin victory in a generation. That is not overstating the performance of this match.
But sometimes it all seems lost on Hayne — or that is the impression he likes to give.
Everywhere NSW go, whether it be to a team meeting, function or training, Hayne is last to arrive.
“I just hope he remembers to bring his boots on Wednesday night,” NSW skipper Paul Gallen says with a laugh.
Yet once Hayne enters ANZ Stadium on Wednesday just after 8pm, the casual air will vanish. It’s showtime and the star will be there to perform in the spotlight of rugby league’s biggest stage.
“People think he is aloof and doesn’t care,” Thompson says. “That’s just his character. People don’t understand Jarryd.
“It’s not a put-on. He is just a very laid-back bloke. Nothing at all worries him.
“He lives to the beat in his own world. But once he crosses that white line, it is all business.
Hayne was certainly ready to go at Suncorp Stadium three weeks ago.
Anthony Watmough this week described it as the finest individual Origin performance he could recall.
“They were looking for him to pull out that big game and he did,” Thompson says. “He has been there (with NSW) for a while now and is dying to get the job done.
“It was a big performance, but everyone in the team stood up.
“I am very proud of him. He has been criticised in recent times for drifting in and out of games.
“But that has changed now. I guess that comes with maturity. Jarryd is now the complete player.”
QLD SHOULD STOP UNDERDOG ACT: HAYNE
Jarryd Hayne and Paul Gallen celebrate victory after game one. Source: News Corp Australia
Hayne, in his own unique way, is now a leader with both NSW and Parramatta.
He may never have the desire — nor the characteristics — to captain his state, but he is certainly the go-to man. It will be his job to convert forward dominance into points, just as he did in game one.
“Haynesy is like no one I have ever met before,” Gallen says. “He is cheeky. I said to him this morning, you’re getting cheekier, he said you are getting cranky in your old age. He is a smart arse.
“But Haynesy is a real good bloke. I have known him for a long time now and really admire him. One thing about him is he is not afraid to talk it up, not to be arrogant.
“He talks it up because he is confident, but he backs it up on the field.
“He has become a real leader, not only with this side, but I am sure with Parramatta over the past couple of years.
“People really listen to him and respect him. I don’t think he is the type of guy to ever want to be a captain ... but he is a real leader around training.”
To understand how much football means to Hayne, and how respected he is, you only have to talk to the Blues’ veterans.
Luke Lewis, the longest-serving Origin player in this squad, is blown away by Hayne’s talent.
“I have played with a lot of great players,” Lewis says. “Haynesy has won a Dally M, he’s a freak. He could be anything. He is super strong, he’s big, he’s fast. He has all the skills in the world.
“Jarryd is very relaxed. But when you play against him, you don’t know what he is going to do. You can do your video work on him and work out the best way to shut him down, but players like Haynesy always come up with something different.
Jarryd Hayne flicks the ball during a training session. Source: News Corp Australia
“If something is going against him, he will do something different to try to create something else. He is definitely right up there with the best players I have played with.”
But ever the coach, Laurie Daley is doing all he can to deflect the pressure off his superstar fullback.
“I don’t like calling them X-factors,” Daley says. “Jarryd is at the top of his game at the moment and that gives everyone in the side confidence.
“But if we are relying on Jarryd to win this game, and Jarryd alone, that’s not going to be good enough. That won’t cut the mustard.
“We need contributions from 17 guys.”
Replies
If the blues do lose, I hope the media are still on Hayne's side and he isn't made a scapegoat.
No pressure Jarryd!
I've said it before and ill say it again, i'm so damn glad he's an eel.
I'm hoping he wants to do it for other reasons than Reggie's Bush.
It all comes down to you Jarryd. Who else is going to win it?
Imagine Hayne guides and dominates NSW to their first Origin win in 8 years and then in the same year guides Parra to their first Premiership in 28 years!!! THANK GOD HE IS AN EEL!!
C'MON JARRYD!
Good article and well researched. I wish Hayne and the Blues well. But lets put things into perspective. Hayne has played 18 SOO games and won 6, which 2 were dead rubbers.
Hayne also lost 11 of 16 games which did matter as far as a NSW result mattered.
I think to much is expected of one player to turn a game.
Yeah tough one but it's probably because he can.