With Jarryd Hayne injuring his hamstring at training last year before the Four Nations, some thought it would hamper the Eels preparation, and Jarryd’s. You thought wrong.
For Eels coach Stephen Kearney, he believes that the injury might actually be a blessing in disguise, as Hayne was perhaps suffering from burn-out, the euphoria of the 2009 season, and the constant demands of representative football.
For Kearney, he knows just how important Hayne is to the Parramatta side, and with a rejuvenated Hayne, Kearney is confident that things will flow for both Hayne, and the team.
”I think sometimes it has an impact on guys who play a lot of rep footy, that when they are forced to have time off due to an injury it is a blessing in disguise for them,” Kearney said.
”Whether that is the case for Jarryd, at the moment we will only really know in maybe three months. But when you have a player who is playing State of Origin, finals, then end-of-season internationals – that is a lot of footy, and a break can’t do them any harm.”
Hayne was eased back into the trials, with the Tigers one being his first, and Kearney was impressed with the efforts of Hayne, which included a try courtesy of some great footwork, and almost a second, before he was tackled just before the line after a great fullback run.
”Jarryd did some good things on Saturday, he had some good touches that made us aware again of what he is capable of, and it is just a matter of monitoring how he is going,” Kearney said.
”He has had a nasty injury, and we have to keep an eye on him, but so far the signs have been good.”