Mannah hails Hayne’s defensive actions

Courageous Parramatta prop Tim Mannah has hailed Jarryd Hayne’s big play ability as the fullback warmed up for State of Origin with a terrific performance against North Queensland.

Hayne is in a dogfight for the NSW No.1 jersey with Manly’s Brett Stewart, but should he miss out there a spot on the wing beckons.

On the form he showed in Saturday’s loss to the Cowboys, Hayne will have one wing spot sewn up – leaving the likes of Akuila Uate, Brett Morris and Nathan Merritt to fight it out for the other.

The only two-time winner of the Brad Fittler medal as the Blues’ player of the series, Hayne has built a reputation in Origin on making big plays.

He showed that ability on Saturday night with two impressive defensive efforts.

Hayne stunned everyone when he did the seemingly impossible by stopping a rampaging Tariq Sims, holding the 106kg forward up over the tryline.

And to prove it wasn’t a fluke, the 2009 Dally M medal winner repeated his efforts by denying Gavin Cooper in identical fashion 10 minutes later.

Mannah was in awe of Hayne’s try-saving ability – and called on his teammates to follow the 25-year-old’s actions.

“I had a chat with Jarryd at halftime (about the tackles), things like that definitely affect the team,” Mannah said.

“And he’s that kind of player. He’s got that in him.

“He can come up with the big plays.

“We need that from Jarryd, but we need that from everyone across the park to do their job and come up with plays that can help the team.”

Mannah earned special praise himself for his remarkable recovery to take the field just five days after fearing he’d suffered a broken leg.

Instead, he explained, it was “just a dent in the bone”.

Eels coach Ricky Stuart marvelled at the courage of the one-time NSW representative.

“Timmy knows what I think of him,” Stuart said.

“And that type of effort out there is what we will build this club on.

“If fans and sponsors want to be patient, this club is going to be a very, very strong club within a couple of years.

“I’m not asking them to be patient – it’s their choice.”

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