Gold Coast captain-in-waiting Ryan James believes that the birth of a daughter at Christmas has brought out a different side to superstar fullback Jarryd Hayne and that the Titans will reap the benefits in 2017.
James travelled with the rest of the Titans squad to Auckland on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Downer NRL Auckland Nines tournament but will be relegated to 19th man and not take any part in the frenetic on-field action.
Replacing James as skipper will be Hayne and halfback Kane Elgey, a major sign that the club’s marquee player has won the respect of the playing group with an improved attitude to pre-season training.
There were concerns in the early stages of pre-season that Hayne was not hitting his personal targets and was in danger of being left out of the leadership group but leading the team out on to Eden Park for the first match of the tournament is evidence of just how far he has come.
Hayne’s partner Amellia Bonnici gave birth to a baby girl on December 22 and James — very proud father himself of son Carter — has no doubt that it has had an influence on Hayne’s contribution to the team.
“It’s definitely been good for him,” James told NRL.com.
“He’s come in to training tired a couple of times, with the baby and staying up a bit late, but I think it’s probably the best thing to happen to him.
