Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

The inevitable Jarryd Hayne to Union story is gathering pace

By Ian Cameron
Jarryd Hayne is being rumoured to be considering Union

It’s the story that could more or less write itself at this stage – as inevitable as the setting sun, the coming of the seasons or Eddie Jones having a dig at the opposition during match week.

ADVERTISEMENT

Yes, the Jarryd Hayne to Rugby Union story is rearing its head once again.

Fox Sports in Australia are now reporting that the mercurial NRL superstar is considering a move to the 15 man game in time to make the Rugby World Cup for Fiji next year.

Giant Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo told foxsports.com.au. this week: “There’s obviously been talk around the camp that Jarryd’s potentially coming to play for Fiji.”

“Just the excitement of hearing that Jarryd Hayne might be coming across again is pretty exciting.”

Fijian coach John McKee has also suggested he’s open to the idea.

“I’d certainly look at Jarryd’s form if he came back to rugby,” McKee said.

“Realistically it’d be a hard job now with rugby league going through to September; it doesn’t leave much of a window for him. He’s got a lot of good players he’s up against, so if he’s good enough he’ll get in but he’d have to be outplaying some outstanding players.”

Hayne’s agent has apparently denied he and Hayne had spoken of a Union switch, not since a possible move to France was mooted in 2015.

ADVERTISEMENT

RugbyPass first suggested Hayne as part of a theoretical XV back in January and now Australian journalists are etching out a genuinely possible roadmap to RWC2019 for the Hayne Plane.

Although he has represented Australia in League he did lineout for Fiji at last year’s RLWC, and much has been made of the fact that his contract with the Parramatta Eels is set to expire at the end of this season.

That would give him one Super Rugby season or even the guts of a lucrative Top 14 season in France to get up to speed with Union.

But is the jump possible? Absolutely.

Hayne is no Sam Burgess – his game is built around skill as well as athleticism and power. While a year wasn’t long enough for the Englishman to make the jump from League forward to Union back, Hayne could surely adjust quicker. But quick enough to make a Fijian backline brimming with world-class talent? There in lies the rub.

ADVERTISEMENT

His recent sporting résume certainly suggests it’s possible.

Any lingering misgiving about Hayne’s footballing abilities will have evaporated when he defied the odds not only to make an NFL roster in 2016, but by excelling just months on from first donning that sport’s famous body armour.

Making the Olympics with the Fijian 7s was too steep a mountain to climb given the time frame he allowed himself. Going from the NFL to the cardio extremes of Sevens was too big an ask.

But the step from League to Union is an altogether more manageable one. The question is, would just one season of Union – be it in Super Rugby or in France – be long enough time for Hayne to acclimatise? Could the disappointment he experienced in his bid to make Rio have chastened him?

If he does risk it, prepare yourself not just for the Hayne Plane but for a giant-sized media Hype Train trailing behind him.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby? Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?
Search