Injured Hayne reveals Eels mentoring role

Jarryd Hayne believes he can contribute to a Parramatta revival while sidelined with injury by mentoring Eels playmakers Clint Gutherson and Corey Norman.

Hayne, who sparked the training session which turned physical ahead of last weekend’s 44-10 defeat of Manly, is on the casualty list for the next four to six weeks after suffering a second hip flexor injury while helping the Eels end their six-game losing streak.

However, the 30-year-old intends to remain heavily involved with the side and believes he can be of value to coach Brad Arthur by passing on his experience to the likes of Gutherson and Norman.

"One of the main reasons I wanted to come back here [Parramatta] was to help the club and help the guys who are on the verge of their prime, like Guth and Norm and young blokes like that," Hayne said.

"Just adding value to the team is probably the biggest thing for me. That is where I see the most rewards. It is all good going on the field and doing what I do, but for me it is all about those guys. It doesn't matter how good one player is playing, you need everyone vibing."

Hayne confirmed he had been instrumental in last Thursday's opposed training session becoming heated as Eels players took out their frustrations over the team's winless start to the season on each other.

"It wasn't just me, I think I was the first one to speak up and everyone got a big more animated," Hayne said. "Being 0-6 we were all obviously disappointed and frustrated. None of us saw that 0-6 coming, we finished fourth last year and we trialled really well. 

"I didn't say any magic words but I think it just sparked everyone getting a bit more tone in their voice. By the end of it we were definitely vibing and took it into the game. We were pushing each other and not beating around the bush. Communication is a huge key in any business.''

Eels players have identified the next month as the key to turning their season around and Hayne is confident they will be back in finals contention by the time he returns.  

"We are at the start of getting out of it but we have got to build off what we did against Manly and take it into the Tigers game and then the Sharks game," he said.

“It’s not about what happens to you, it's how you respond. We need to get on a bit of a roll, there is no hiding that because of where we left ourselves."

Hayne is off contract at the end of the season but insisted he hadn't thought about his future and was instead focused on returning to the field.

However, he said he was enjoying being back at Parramatta after leaving the club in 2014 to pursue an NFL career and spending the last two seasons with Gold Coast Titans.

"My biggest thing is getting back playing footy first. It is all about momentum and getting a couple of games under my belt," he said. "The other stuff will look after itself. We are only seven rounds in, I have only played two-and-a-half games so there is plenty of time left.

"It's awesome being home, being around the club again and the area. The winning is the one thing that has been missing."