Jarryd Hayne said he was honoured to be named a co-captain of the Parramatta Eels at their new leadership team announcement.
Tim Mannah was named as club captain and Hayne and Reni Maitua were named field co-captains.
Head coach Ricky Stuart made the announcement to the players earlier in the week and made the presentation in front of the entire NRL squad, several Eels legends and the Eels board.
Said Mannah: ‘‘It’s such a great club with a great history - I mean, look at the last few captains we’ve had in Nathan Hindmarsh and Nathan Cayless".
‘‘And then guys like Dean Pay and Mick Cronin are some of the club greats, so it’s a huge honour to be a captain at a club like this.’’
Maitua said their different strengths as players would help in leading the team.
‘‘Each of us bring a different element to the captaincy and I really applaud the club for deciding to go with three captains," he said.
‘‘There’s a lot of extra responsibility on us and it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re up for it.’’
Hayne agreed.
‘‘To be doing it with two of your best mates is so exciting,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m new to the role but I’m looking forward to what it holds and what it brings.’’
Go to blacktownsun.com.au to watch a video of Jarryd Hayne being painted to look like the character Prophet from the video game Crysis 3 .
Also go to our website to view a video of the captaincy announcement, listen to audio of the player’s reactions. Visit our website regularly for further coverage of all the latest news on the Eels.