Joel Reddy, one of Jarryd Hayne's teammates in Parramatta's memorable charge to the 2009 NRL grand final, believes the Eels superstar is now a more rounded player and better leader.
Hayne was a prominent figure in the NSW Blues recent drought-breaking State of Origin series win, producing several big plays.
After being rested from Parramatta's last game, a 48-0 mauling by NZ Warriors, Hayne returns to club duty in Friday's home clash with Souths.
Rabbitohs centre Reddy, who played for Parramatta between 2005 and 2011, and for Wests Tigers in 2012-13 before joining Souths, stressed Hayne was a more complete player than the one who lit up Parramatta's exhilarating 2009 finals series campaign.
"I think he's a more rounded player now, and I think he's more of a leader now," Reddy said.
"Defensively he seems to be popping up at the right times.
"Obviously his attack has always been strong, but I think he's matured as a leader as well.
Reddy said those qualities had been on show with Parramatta this year and for a while with NSW.
"Back in 2009 he made himself look good, and now he's making himself look good and he's making others look good.
"I think he makes players around him play better and they probably missed him on the weekend.
"We've got to watch out for him this week and we know the players around him are going to lift."
Reddy emphasised it needed a concerted team effort to try and negate Hayne's influence on a game.
"He is a superstar, you saw throughout the Origin series how good he can be, so it's a team effort," Reddy said.
"One bloke can't go out there and stop him.
"We've got to be pretty clued on as a team about what he's doing."
Reddy, who missed the Rabbitohs last three games with a quadriceps injury, was named on an extended interchange bench for Friday's game.
While seven spots separate fourth-placed Souths and Parramatta in 11th position, the Rabbitohs are only two points ahead of the Eels.
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