Hayne no longer conductor at new Eels

Jarryd Hayne has returned to Parramatta, but the star Eel wants to take a backward seat as he tries to help his boyhood club towards a drought-breaking title.

Parramatta Eels star Jarryd Hayne

Jarryd Hayne has returned to Parramatta, but the star wants to take a back seat in attack. (AAP)

Jarryd Hayne has no plans of trying to replace Semi Radradra at Parramatta, whether that be on the wing or as the Eels' attacking dynamo.

Hayne returned for his first day of Eels NRL training in more than three years on Wednesday, and was forced to avoid barrage of questions on a sexual assault allegation levelled against him in a United States civil case.

Hayne has confirmed he will "vigorously" defend the matter, but there remain a number of questions he'll have to answer for Parramatta.

His performances tapered significantly last year at the Gold Coast in comparison to his second Dally-M-winning year at the Eels in 2014.

He also struggled to keep with the pace with Eels teammates while running laps on Wednesday, and admits he needs more conditioning in his legs before the start of the season.

On the field the Eels have also appeared to move past Hayne at No.1, with younger stars Clinton Gutherson and Bevan French both starring in the role last year.

That is likely to leave a spot on the wing as the biggest opening in Parramatta's backline, given try-scoring machine Radradra's departure to French rugby at the end of last year.

But after having played at left centre in State of Origin last year, it's there or back at fullback Hayne wants to play.

"I think No.1 or centre is probably the positions I like the most," Hayne said.

"Then again it's all about whatever is best for the team.

"I've been thinking about getting back training, knowing the plays and knowing the calls."

Hayne will also no longer be Parramatta's only attacking weapon, a change he is ready to welcome.

While he dictated Parramatta's results in his previous stint, the emergence of the Mitchell Moses-Corey Norman combination in the halves last year had the Eels post their best attacking season since 2008.

"I probably haven't seen a Parra team with this much talent in it," Hayne said.

"Just coming in today you've got Norm, Mose, Timmy (Mannah), Bevan, Gutherson as well that were just killing it last year.

"Me coming in, I'm not having that presence any more. It's all one big unit and pushing each other."

The 29-year-old admitted there were times last season while at the Gold Coast he thought he'd never have a chance to play at his boyhood Eels club again.

But after he won just 45 per cent of games for the club and claimed two wooden spoons between 2006 and 2014, Hayne has already spoken to coaching staff about how special it would be to bring a premiership back to Parramatta.

"Seeing the guys last year, we even went close to beating North Queensland to get into the major semi," Hayne said.

"We're all on board to take it one better and take that premiership.

"There is no other place to do it other than home."


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Source: AAP


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