Hayne-Henry feud still unresolved despite Titans’ crisis meeting
Titans fullback Jarryd Hayne and coach Neil Henry have been called in to discuss an ongoing feud. Photo: AAP
A lengthy meeting has failed to resolve a rift between Gold Coast Titans coach, Neil Henry and his star player Jarryd Hayne.
Titans board members joined Henry, Hayne and club chief executive Graham Annesley at a three-hour meeting on Monday afternoon.
The meeting was called after Hayne declared he would leave the club if the coach wanted him gone, despite signing a $1.2 million contract to play in 2018.
Annesley said the board would reconvene when it had more information.
“It’s broader than what it might appear on the surface in relation to Jarryd and Neil,” Annesley said.
“The board want to take the full amount of consideration to make any decision on what might happen going forward.”
Henry reportedly told the club’s directors they had to choose between him and Hayne early this week.
Both men have a year to run on their contracts.
Club chairwoman Rebecca Frizelle said the board will act when it has all the facts.
Jarryd Hayne signed for the Titans in August 2016, and has struggled for form this season. Photo: AAP
“I think it’s well known that we do make the difficult decisions when we need to make them, but I thinking having a board meeting for two hours or three hours is really not enough time to consider all the facts,” she said.
“We do want the time to consider because … we’re talking people’s livelihoods and careers so we won’t be rushed into a decision.
“We had good discussions with both of them. Open, frank and honest discussions which have been very helpful.”
Henry and Hayne will have to work together in the meantime. Annesley said he doubted the matter would be resolved before Thursday night’s match against Parramatta.
“We don’t want this to drag on, we want to bring it to a head as quickly as possible and make a decision so we can move forward into the remaining two games of the season,” Annesley said.
Hayne signed to the Titans in August 2016. The team made the finals that year but has struggled in the 2017 season.
The 29-year-old joined the Titans last season and has struggled with injury and form since returning to the code which made him a household name.