Titans downplay Hayne attitude issues

Jarryd Hayne has every right to impose himself over his Gold Coast teammates, according to Titans forward Joe Greenwood.

Hayne was spotted in heated discussions with halfback Ashley Taylor in the Titans’ 16-12 win over Cronulla on Saturday night.

He also appeared to express frustration at Titans winger Dan Sarginson after he dropped a routine catch in a try-scoring position.

But Greenwood said Hayne’s high expectations were warranted in his return match from an ankle injury.

“He’ll (Hayne) float around and speak to Ash about where he wants to go – he sees a lot at fullback and he’ll just let Ash know where he needs to be,” Greenwood said.

“He’s a really good organiser. He played a little bit in the halves for a couple of minutes he just organises the team around him.”

Hayne’s attitude has regularly been questioned since he signed with the Titans at the end of last year after returning from the NFL and rugby sevens with Fiji.

He is signed until the end of next year, but has an option to leave the club at the end of 2017 in his favour.

His commitment was a regular topic of conjecture throughout the pre-season, before he missed the past five matches through injury.

And despite winning the Anzac Medal for the best player on field in Saturday night’s win, he earned the ire of former Australian players Mark Gasnier and Justin Hodges for his blow up at Sarginson – who feared a negative influence on the club’s young squad.

But Greenwood said it was just a sign of Hayne’s passion.

“We’re all competitive and he’s just as competitive as anyone,” Greenwood said.

“If you drop a ball it is a chance missed and then we have to defend a set so there’s a lot more pressure on you so it’s just competitive nature.”

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