Parramatta forward Ben Smith says he and teammates were not fazed by Jarryd Hayne’s absence from Sunday’s NRL clash against Manly.

Hayne, who injured his right foot during the State of Origin decider last Wednesday, was reportedly out shopping while the Eels suffered a 40-24 hammering by the reigning premiers at Brookvale Oval.

Smith said he only found out about reports of Hayne’s whereabouts on Wednesday, but was not overly concerned.

“From a player’s perspective, we’re not too worried,” Smith said.

“He was approved by the coach to do it, he obviously had something important on.

“For us it’s not a big issue.

“He’s had a big six weeks with Origin and that, so it’s probably good for him to get away.”

Smith, who will miss this Friday’s match against Canterbury after accepting an early guilty plea for a dangerous contact charge on Brent Kite, admitted that Hayne’s presence did not factor into the way he or his fellow players approached a game.

“For us, we’re focused on the game so I’m not really focused on who’s there and who’s not there,” he said.

Hayne did not speak to the media during a visit to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, where he was joined by Smith and Bulldogs stars Ben Barba and Krisnan Inu.

Players from both clubs were at the hospital to perform special ‘work experience’ duties and launch the Bandaged Bear Cup, which they will play for on Friday at ANZ Stadium.