I'm not walking out on Eels: Hayne - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

I'm not walking out on Eels: Hayne

By Steve Jancetic 01/07/2010 04:07:23 PM Comments (0)

NSW superstar Jarryd Hayne denied he was above criticism as he rejected talk he was poised to walk out on Parramatta over a falling out with Eels coach Daniel Anderson.

In Wollongong with the NSW side as they prepare for Origin III, Hayne broke camp in a bid to douse the inferno which threatened to turn the Eels' crumbling premiership campaign to rubble.

Waking to newspaper reports he was set to quit the Eels after taking exception to Anderson's criticism of his performance in Saturday night's 10-6 loss to Brisbane, Hayne said he phoned his coach and club chief executive Paul Osborne on Thursday morning to reaffirm his commitment to the club.

And while Hayne admitted to being upset about the comments, he said his anger was not due to the fact Anderson was critical of his performance but rather that he chose to view his concerns in the media.

"I'm not upset about what he said, probably just who he said it too," said Hayne, claiming the days following the loss to the Broncos had been "extremely tough".

"That's the main issue, that's all it was and that's why I was upset. I thought he should have spoken to me first instead of the media.

"When my form's down I'm the first to admit it - I haven't been playing good footy and I understand that."

But talk that a supposed rift between the pair could drive him to quit the club appear wide of the mark.

"I'm not walking out on the Eels, I'm not sure where it's come from," Hayne said, while revealing Anderson had apologised for how the whole episode had played out.

"There was some things said in the media, I was a little bit upset (but) me and Ando's relationship is sweet.

"I think the boys (Parramatta teammates) knew I was never going to walk out, they knew where I was at and we've just got to move on."

Hayne said he had no problem working with Anderson into the future, even crediting his Eels mentor for helping him reach the lofty standards he set last year when he put together one of the most sublime patches of form to almost single-handedly carry the Eels to a remarkable premiership triumph.

Those performances appear to be hanging like a dead weight around Hayne's neck as he struggles to meet the same standards this year, but the reigning Dally M player of the year denied he was struggling to meet fans' expectations.

"I don't listen to anyone's expectations but myself," Hayne said.

"I put expectations on myself ... whatever anyone else writes or whatever anyone else expects is up to them.

"As a team we haven't been performing too well, I criticise my own performance and I understand that and I think Ando was a major reason why I went so well last year.

"I support him 100 per cent, he's a great coach, one of the best coaches I've ever had and I'm looking forward to working with him for many more years."

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