Jarryd Hayne given strict conditions as Sydney club discusses possible return to field
The former Parramatta Eels player has been spotted back on the training paddock.
Jarryd Hayne has been offered a possible lifeline back to football, but the president of his potential club has told Yahoo Sport Australia it comes with two major provisos. First, he will have to make the first move. Second, he'll have to pay to play if a deal is struck.
The Western Sydney Two Blues rugby club is the first outfit to offer Hayne - back in training two months after leaving jail following the quashing of a sexual assault conviction - hope of a return to the football field. Competing in the NSW Shute Shield competition, the club is located in the heart of Parramatta territory, not far from where the former league superstar grew up and starred for the Eels across 176 games.
Hayne's last match in the NRL was six years ago. The 36-year-old is working with renowned sprint coach Roger Fabri, who posted vision of Hayne running with the caption: "You thought it was over!!! You don’t even know what Jarryd Hayne is going to do."
Referencing his former teammate's "Hayne Plane" nickname, Justin Horo added: "Cabin crew, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for take-off." The video has led to speculation a comeback may be in the wind.
Two Blues president addresses Jarryd Hayne speculation
Hayne is no stranger to rugby union, representing Fiji in sevens in 2016. However, Two Blues president Greg Cummings made it clear any approach to return would have to be instigated by Hayne and would only be considered if supported by the club's board and coaching staff.
It would also require approval from Rugby Australia and Rugby NSW. Cummings told Yahoo Sport Australia: "He'd have to approach us – we're not about to chase him – and I'd run it past my board and coaching staff first.
"If everybody was onboard, we would consider it on its merits. He was one of the best fullbacks in the game at his peak but has been out of football a long time, so he'd have a lot of work to put in. We're not at NRL level but our guys are very committed and train hard, so he'd have to be willing to do the work. I'd have to say it's a long shot but you never know."
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Asked if Hayne's past was a concern, Cummings said: "Not from my perspective but others within the game may have their own thoughts." Even if he were to be cleared, there may be one final hurdle to jump if Hayne was to join the Two Blues.
"He'd have to pay his registration fees like all the other boys - $250 a season," Cummings warned. Hayne is yet to give any indication if he intends returning to football or is training with Fabri purely for fitness reasons.
