SYDNEY Roosters chairman Nick Politis has conceded his wish to see Jarryd Hayne playing for the Tricolours is all but over.
Since quitting the NRL, walking away from a multi-million dollar deal with Parramatta to chase his dream of playing in the NFL, Hayne has surprised everyone with three impressive trial games for San Francisco.
While the 27-year-old’s latest outing against Denver was the quietest game he’s had so far thanks to limited time on the field, the former fullback is still looking likely to secure a place on the 49ers’ 53-man roster.
Coach Jim Tomsula must trim the current 89-man squad to 75 by Wednesday (Australian time) with Hayne all but guaranteed to survive the first cut.
Politis has been reported to be closely monitoring Hayne’s movements, even going to the extraordinary length of providing the former Test and Origin star with a vehicle at his own expense during a recent trip back to Australia.
Politis confirmed to Roosters Radio that speculation he was grooming Hayne to sign with his club should his NFL journey end prematurely was accurate; admitting he would have jumped at the chance to secure one of the game’s biggest signatures.
“It would be a good one to make a reality,” Politis said of potentially making Hayne a Rooster.
“I think he’s going so well that he’ll stay there for sure.”
The Roosters are one of the richest clubs in the NRL and loom as an attractive home for Hayne should something go amiss in the US.
On top of a healthy salary, the Moore Park based club will be able to provide lucrative third party sponsorship deals. The Roosters may also qualify for assistance from NRL boss Dave Smith and his discretionary war chest.
While that course of action appears a moot point, Smith could find himself dipping into his bank account to keep some of the game’s biggest stars from following Hayne.
Politis said that while its great Hayne is following his heart, he worries that the interest the superstar has generated in the NRL could have a negative impact on the game should talent scouts raid the code, pinching their best players.
“It’s fantastic and I think if it works out all right for Jarryd,” he said.
“(If) Hayne stays there I’m sure they’re going to send out scouts to look at some of our younger players coming through with that sort of build and speed.
“It might be a bit of an opportunity for some of our players which is a negative from our point of view because we don’t want to lose good players.”
Since quitting the NRL, walking away from a multi-million dollar deal with Parramatta to chase his dream of playing in the NFL, Hayne has surprised everyone with three impressive trial games for San Francisco.
While the 27-year-old’s latest outing against Denver was the quietest game he’s had so far thanks to limited time on the field, the former fullback is still looking likely to secure a place on the 49ers’ 53-man roster.
Coach Jim Tomsula must trim the current 89-man squad to 75 by Wednesday (Australian time) with Hayne all but guaranteed to survive the first cut.
Politis has been reported to be closely monitoring Hayne’s movements, even going to the extraordinary length of providing the former Test and Origin star with a vehicle at his own expense during a recent trip back to Australia.
Politis confirmed to Roosters Radio that speculation he was grooming Hayne to sign with his club should his NFL journey end prematurely was accurate; admitting he would have jumped at the chance to secure one of the game’s biggest signatures.
“It would be a good one to make a reality,” Politis said of potentially making Hayne a Rooster.
“I think he’s going so well that he’ll stay there for sure.”
The Roosters are one of the richest clubs in the NRL and loom as an attractive home for Hayne should something go amiss in the US.
On top of a healthy salary, the Moore Park based club will be able to provide lucrative third party sponsorship deals. The Roosters may also qualify for assistance from NRL boss Dave Smith and his discretionary war chest.
While that course of action appears a moot point, Smith could find himself dipping into his bank account to keep some of the game’s biggest stars from following Hayne.
Politis said that while its great Hayne is following his heart, he worries that the interest the superstar has generated in the NRL could have a negative impact on the game should talent scouts raid the code, pinching their best players.
“It’s fantastic and I think if it works out all right for Jarryd,” he said.
“(If) Hayne stays there I’m sure they’re going to send out scouts to look at some of our younger players coming through with that sort of build and speed.
“It might be a bit of an opportunity for some of our players which is a negative from our point of view because we don’t want to lose good players.”
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