Titans skipper believes Hayne will stay

Jarryd Hayne's Gold Coast teammates have no doubt he will remain at the NRL club despite speculation he is seeking a return to Parramatta.

rugby league

Jarryd Hayne will stick with the Titans according to captain Ryan James. (AAP)

Jarryd Hayne has sent messages to his Gold Coast teammates attempting to dismiss reports that he wants to leave the NRL club.

And they have worked a treat, with Titans captain Ryan James saying he has "no doubt" the code-hopping talent will stay put.

Contracted to the Titans for 2018, Hayne has denied that he is seeking a return to Sydney and former club Parramatta for personal reasons.

James said Hayne had been in touch since the reports emerged and anticipates him to join the club's preseason after completing his Rugby League World Cup campaign with Fiji.

"I'm expecting him to come back. He said on the WhatsApp he hasn't spoken to anyone," James said.

"He's kept in contact with all of us ... I've got no doubt (he'll remain at the Titans) from what he's said to us. Hopefully that's what happens."

Hayne's fractured relationship with Neil Henry was a factor in the coach's axing last season, while his indifferent form contributed to the Titans finishing second-last in 2017.

Before the reports surfaced last week, Hayne was expected to honour the final year of his contract under new coach Garth Brennan and newly-hired support staff Hayden Knowles and Craig Catterick.

Pointing out Hayne's close relationship with Knowles, Brennan last week labelled the speculation a "storm in a tea cup".

James said Hayne would be among many Titans players needing to lift their form next year, adding they had "drawn a line in the sand".

"It was all said in the wrap up of the season. Everyone had their chance to talk, and it's resonated with the 15 or 16 that are still here," James said.

"Jarryd's a big part of our team; when he's firing there's not too many people who can stop him.

"He's been playing great for Fiji at the moment and looked like he's been having fun and hopefully can bring that back to the squad next year."

Brennan put the squad, minus World Cup pair Hayne and Konrad Hurrell (Tonga), through a tough fitness session on Thursday morning.

"We just can't put a performance in like last year; we know we didn't perform up to par," James said.

"It was the Titans of old that people loved to come and watch and we want to make ourselves that team again."


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Source: AAP



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