Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has played down returning star Jarryd Hayne’s reported poor fitness, stressing the 30-year-old will add to the side that finished fourth last season.
The Vodafone Fijian Bati back reportedly finished behind Arthur in a recent 5km time trial, but the coach insists there is nothing to worry about.
“He’s been great,” Arthur told Sporting News.
“People like to make opinions about players from the outside looking in but it’s not unless you’re in the inner sanctum that you know what’s going on.
“While it’s been reported that his fitness levels aren’t great, they’re better than I’ve seen from him, but he’s not the sort of person that’s going to win a 5km sand beach trial or a 2km time sprint.
“But the stuff where we’ve got the football in hand and the more powerful explosive type training he’s been in our best 5 every time.”
Hayne made the move back to his former club in November after a tumultuous 23 games for the Titans.
“He’s just Jarryd Hayne and he’s got a role to play in the team like everyone else and we’re not reliant upon him and he’s probably enjoying that role as well that he can just come and play his football.
“You know he’s going to have a bit of pressure on him but it’s not that we need him to do this or do that for us to be competitive,” Anderson added.
Edited by Grace Narayan
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