Tweet
Fittler as Dr. Frankenstein.
BRAD Fittler has seven days to do what Parramatta couldn't do in three years - make Jarryd Hayne a five-eighth. Despite two failed attempts by the Eels to transform Hayne into a No.6, the enigmatic 23-year-old is once again being thrust into the controversial playmaker role by City Origin selectors.
The move comes after NSW coach Ricky Stuart used his column with The Sunday Telegraph to explain that he not only remains convinced Hayne is a quality six, but that the Blues offer more attacking potency with him there.
So how does CIty coach Fittler now aim to do in a week what even Hayne has previously admitted "doesn't work"?
"I've always been a fan of Jarryd as a five-eighth," Fittler said last night.
"He has a real presence and I know if I was defending against him, you'd be constantly watching where he's going. Plus, at six, Jarryd's in the game the whole time.
"At fullback he can go in and out of the game a little bit but this way he's in the game the whole time."
So what does Freddy do that Parramatta couldn't?
"Sometimes when you walk away from you're team when times are tough it freshens you right up," the NSW and Australian legend continued.
"I know I've been here at Penrith in the 1990s, there were stages when we were going pretty ordinary and playing Origin, going in there relieved to be playing with people who were winning.
"We won't be showing him videos of Parramatta and he won't have to worry about what he's done in the first seven weeks. I don't want to fill Jarryd's head with too much, he's a good enough player. And if Mitch (halfback Mitchell Pearce) can get us a chance to be in the game, Jarryd's a chance to be a good five-eighth.
BRAD Fittler has seven days to do what Parramatta couldn't do in three years - make Jarryd Hayne a five-eighth. Despite two failed attempts by the Eels to transform Hayne into a No.6, the enigmatic 23-year-old is once again being thrust into the controversial playmaker role by City Origin selectors.
The move comes after NSW coach Ricky Stuart used his column with The Sunday Telegraph to explain that he not only remains convinced Hayne is a quality six, but that the Blues offer more attacking potency with him there.
So how does CIty coach Fittler now aim to do in a week what even Hayne has previously admitted "doesn't work"?
"I've always been a fan of Jarryd as a five-eighth," Fittler said last night.
"He has a real presence and I know if I was defending against him, you'd be constantly watching where he's going. Plus, at six, Jarryd's in the game the whole time.
"At fullback he can go in and out of the game a little bit but this way he's in the game the whole time."
So what does Freddy do that Parramatta couldn't?
"Sometimes when you walk away from you're team when times are tough it freshens you right up," the NSW and Australian legend continued.
"I know I've been here at Penrith in the 1990s, there were stages when we were going pretty ordinary and playing Origin, going in there relieved to be playing with people who were winning.
"We won't be showing him videos of Parramatta and he won't have to worry about what he's done in the first seven weeks. I don't want to fill Jarryd's head with too much, he's a good enough player. And if Mitch (halfback Mitchell Pearce) can get us a chance to be in the game, Jarryd's a chance to be a good five-eighth.
Comment