We revealed last month that Hayne was still on Parramatta's books for this season despite being released from the final year of his contract and now we can tell you why: the payment was made to ensure the cross-code star continued to promote the Eels while on his American odyssey. The arrangement was to include regular blogs, promotional appearances when in Australia and, if the NFL was amenable, even selling his gridiron jersey in the Eels merchandise shop.

Hayne has made such an impression in the US that the San Francisco 49ers are selling his signature No.38 jerseys despite the fact he is yet to make the cut for their 53-man squad.

While Parramatta paraded Hayne for their first game of the season as part of a handful of marketing gigs, they haven't properly leveraged the promotional opportunities available to them under the agreement. The blown chance has cost the Eels and the NRL a unique opportunity to expose their brands to a global audience.

To give you some idea of the interest Hayne is generating, consider this: on the day he starred in his first 49ers exhibition trial, his sprint coach, Roger Fabri, received 221 new enquiries about being trained in his Speed Agility Academy. Every single one of them referenced their desire to follow in Hayne's footsteps.

"I have never experienced anything like it," Fabri said.

Parramatta partners pick up housing projects

The better halves of Nathan Hindmarsh, Nathan Cayless and Jason Taylor have combined in a renovations business that makes The Block look like child's play.

Close friends Lana Taylor, Erin Cayless and Bonnie Hindmarsh have proven you can create a stunning reno quickly and efficiently since forming Three Birds Renovations. The trio have already transformed three homes, taking only six weeks each to do so, to quickly make their mark in the industry. Their second project was the cover story of high-end interior magazine Adore Home and their weekly online series has a huge following.

Their first project was a hoarder's house, which they purchased for $808,000 and then sold for $1.06 million after $90,000 was spent on renovations. The second home was bought for $975,000 and sold for $1.32 million after $115,000 was spent fixing it up. Their most recent do-up, a house in Beecroft, goes under the hammer on September 5.

"We all wanted something more fulfilling and the idea of renovating with some of your best friends – and I've developed a passion for renovating having watched the last season of The Block – we decided to do it," Lana Taylor said.

"We do it in six weeks because you can renovate a house that quickly. We punch it out, run a tight ship and the good planning takes the stress out of it."

Bonnie handles the design, Erin the operations role while Lana oversees sales and marketing. Their firm already has sponsors queuing up, from Taubmans to Amber tiles. Occasionally, the hubbies are enlisted to lend a hand.

"Jason does less heavy lifting," Lana quipped. "He has no issues with that being the case because that's how it was on the footy field. He always had Hindmarsh and Cayless to do some of his work for him. He will spend the 45 minutes stretching, applying sunscreen and drinking water. Meanwhile, Hindmarsh and Cayless have finished most of the job. That is very true to form.

"We're very proud of our husbands, we've supported their dreams and now it's our turn and they are supporting us."

Titans get a taste for Olive

The Gold Coast are one of several clubs making a play for John Olive. The South Sydney centre made his NRL debut earlier this season and also represented NSW in the under-20s Origin, despite the fact he is just 18.

The Rabbitohs are keen to retain him, but with few promising three-quarters on the market, will have a fight on their hands.

Schoolboys game revived

NRL boss Dave Smith became personally involved in resurrecting the Australian Schoolboys matches, which the New Zealand Rugby League was poised to snub due to financial problems.

That our trans-Tasman brothers are so skint – the NZRL posted a surplus of just $16,000 for the financial year – is a major embarrassment for the game.

Had the NRL not intervened, a tradition that began way back in 1972 would have been scrapped.

The 2015 Australian Schoolboys side features five-eighth Nathan Cleary, the son of Penrith coach Ivan, as well as Scott Drinkwater, the brother of Wests Tigers half Josh Drinkwater.

Sterling almost a Steeler

Peter Sterling has revealed how close he came to swapping the microphone for the clipboard.

"I nearly took the Illawarra Steelers job," Sterling told Men of League magazine. "I was talking to Bob Millward and went from yes to no one day to the next.

"Eventually I said no. That was the closest I came. I spoke to Newcastle and, yes, had an offer to coach the Reds in their first year, and that was an attractive proposition because I like Perth, but that voice in the back of my head said 'no, you've got a good job now'."

Drug dramas done

There's plenty of talk about the AFL outsmarting the NRL in broadcast rights negotiations, but rugby league has certainly handled the ASADA dramas better.

Saturday marked one year since 12 Cronulla players accepted 12-month backdated suspensions for unwittingly consuming prohibited substances.

While that outcome was far from ideal for any party, it at least provided a resolution, something that won't be happening for Essendon or the AFL any time soon.

Cruise along to Auckland Nines

League fans can cruise across the ditch to the Auckland Nines for the first time after P&O Cruises added the tournament to its "major events" sporting line-up.

About 8000 people will cruise to the Melbourne Cup this year, while the luxury liner also sails sports nuts down to the Australian Open tennis in January. If you're not in a rush to get to Eden Park, you can enjoy an eight-night package that includes four nights on the water with the Pacific Pearl.