Parramatta Eels boss Scott Seward will meet with NRL chief executive Dave Smith early in the new year to discuss the logistics of life after Jarryd Hayne. The Eels are unsure of the best way to structure their salary cap, given the uncertainty around Hayne's future. What if they fill their salary cap and Hayne decides to come home? Do they need to leave room in the salary cap just in case? These are the questions that will be asked in the meeting that could have a major impact on the club's recruitment in the next 12 months. However, given the information coming out of the US, they might not need to worry. Several NFL clubs are showing interest in the former Eels No.1. There are two paths ahead for Hayne. The most likely is that a team will sign him to a "futures" contract after this season when rosters expand from 53 to 90. That will allow him to practise with a team for the entire off-season and try to prove himself to earn a spot when the roster is cut back to 53 in August ahead of the start of the season in September. If a team wants to sign him now, which is unlikely, they'd sign him to the practice squad. A practice squad contract is a fraction of an NFL contract, but that would essentially guarantee he will sign a futures deal with the team after this season. Minimum salary this year on the 53-man roster for a first-year player is about $495,000. For a practice squad player, it's about $105,000. The Detroit Lions, one of at least three clubs Hayne has met with, have a history of taking risks and working with raw talent, having signed American rugby player Carlin Isles to a practice squad contract at this time last year, as well as a Norwegian kicker with no NFL experience to a futures deal.
A very big deal
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The A-League's booming popularity is set to be reflected in the next television rights deal – the FFA has started negotiations with both Channel Seven and Network Ten. All 10 A-League clubs were recently told by FFA chief executive David Gallop that the two big networks were keen to show the A-League in a deal that would likely involve the rights holder replacing SBS with Friday night simulcast rights with Fox Sports. The current television deal is worth close to $40 million a year, but the FFA is hoping to double that when the agreement ends on June 30, 2017. Given Telstra's recent alliance with the FFA, an online sector of the rights deal is being explored, with the possibility of striking deals similar to the NRL and AFL that provide live streaming for mobile devices.
Smith on song
Australia's 45th Test captain, Steve Smith, fancies himself as a bit of an impersonator. Former Test opener Phil Jaques is his No.1 target when it comes to poking a bit of dressing room fun. "He and [South Australian spinner] Adam Zampa both liked to have a crack at my personality," Jaques said. "It involves a lot of leaning forward, hands tucked in and pulling a lot of faces. It's generally how it goes. Steve is very good at it. He puts on this face with half a smile and it's quite funny." Jaques got a bit of his own back when a baby-faced Smith attended his first Sutherland training session, where the pair were club mates. "The first day he came to Sutherland, the boys stitched him up and made him sing a song," Jaques said. "We said it was a tradition and it had been running for 30 years and he had to follow that. He sung happy birthday to one of the boys like Marilyn Monroe did, and at the age of 16 to get up and not second-guess that, it was pretty impressive. It's now a long-standing tradition at the club. Every guy who debuts needs to sing a song so he has left a lasting impression." Despite relocating to the eastern suburbs, Smith has remained committed to his grade cricket side. Jaques and Smith were teammates until this season, when Jaques called time on his decorated career to focus on a range of coaching roles with Cricket NSW. He has watched Smith grow closely. "If you said that I thought he was going to captain Australia at 16, I would've said probably not," Jaques said. "In the past two or three years he has matured as a bloke and a cricketer, on and off the park."
Matai to Titans
Gold Coast are closing in on Manly centre Steve Matai for 2016 despite the Sea Eagles offering him a two-year contract extension. The Titans are one of three clubs to have expressed interest in the veteran centre, who is off contract at the Sea Eagles at the end of next year. Matai's future at Manly was up in the air this year – there was speculation he would be heading home to New Zealand, but it looked like he would ink a new deal to finish his career a one-club man. The Sea Eagles could battle to keep Matai as they look to retain halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans.
Axeman cometh
Which high-profile NRL signing is on the outer at his new Sydney club and facing the axe? The new recruit hasn't been to training in more than a month, citing personal reasons for his absence. However, MC Squared has been told the club is becoming increasingly frustrated and is considering parting ways.
Blues gathering
The NSW Blues will officially start their 2015 campaign on January 16 when the entire squad that was used this year (minus Jarryd Hayne) gathers for a private function at a Sydney restaurant. Coach Laurie Daley and several staff will join the players on the Friday before the Emerging Blues camp to discuss plans and make goals for next year. It's great to see NSW finally get what it takes to win a series. Origin is more than what happens in 80minutes on the field, something Daley feels strongly about.
Eels' new home
The Eels are expected to begin training at the new North Parramatta venue before the start of the season. Work has begun at Old Saleyards Reserve, and two new fields are set to be ready for the club's teams to use in February. At present, the Eels' NRL squad trains on a 70-metre field behind Pirtek Stadium, the only team in the competition without a full-size training centre. The new surfaces at Old Saleyards Reserve are the first step – the club hopes to gain funding to build a centre of excellence at the ground instead of having to travel between several facilities in Parramatta.
Rooster roster
Roosters representative winger Daniel Tupou could be squeezed out of the club when his contract expires at the end of next year. Tupou is on a modest contract, signed before he rose to represent NSW, and Australia and the Roosters won't have room to match any inflated offer. He failed to recapture his form post-Origin as he battled with a persistent back injury. Tupou was dropped after just one game for Australia. Teammate Shaun Kenny-Dowall is also off-contract.
Dogs in the clear
The Bulldogs have been cleared of any wrongdoing regarding their talks with Brett Morris. St George Illawarra claimed the Bulldogs approached Morris despite the winger being contracted to the Dragons for next year. The Dragons released a statement accusing another club of enticing Morris to break his contract. However, an NRL spokesman said the matter was closed. "There was never any complaint lodged and a resolution was reached amicably between the two clubs," the spokesman said. "So it will not be taken any further."
Gang's all there
This year Ricky Stuart and Des Hasler opted against travelling to Auckland for the Nines, and there was a fear that number would only grow next year. However, all 16 coaches are expected to be in Auckland for the next instalment given the NRL will have its season launch there on Thursday, January 29 – two days before the start of the Nines.
Tigers' gesture
There was plenty of conjecture over the future of Campbelltown Sportsground this year. Poor crowds forced Wests Tigers to consider taking games away from Campbelltown. However, the locals argued they were robbed of the big matches, as the out-of-town teams were being scheduled in the south-west. The Tigers have responded by giving up a big crowd at ANZ Stadium for their round two clash against rivals St George Illawarra. Benji Marshall will return to Campbelltown for the first time in two years and it will also be the Dragons' first game at the venue in 12 years.
Wedding bells
Congratulations to St George Illawarra winger Jason Nightingale and his partner of six years Bianka Webb, a solicitor, on tying the knot in Bowral on Saturday. She wore a "Designs by Melanie Ford dress" and Rhianna Sattin Smith of Special Event Planners oversaw the wedding. Bianka's hair was done by Frankie Endersbee and makeup by The Parlour Room. The couple will honeymoon in Byron Bay with a host of friends before Nightingale returns to pre-season training. That wasn't the only positive vibe coming from the St George Illawarra camp -- there are many more. Much of this has to do with theincreased responsibility Benji Marshall has taken upon his shoulders. Skipper Ben Creagh has largely been forced to shoulder the leadership burden himself as a host of experienced players left the club. Aside from mentoring a few of the club's young halves, Marshall is leading the team off the paddock. The team's coffee group is at a record high with the bulk of the squad coming together.
