NFL franchises impressed by Hayne

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IMPRESSIVE testing in front of scouts from 12 clubs has seen several NFL franchises invite Jarryd Hayne to trial for a spot in their pre-season practice squad.

Hayne was reportedly close to securing a deal with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday after doing testing with the club on Monday; his second visit to the Lions headquarters in less than a week.

But The Daily Telegraph understands Hayne is set to conduct "physical reports" with several more NFL franchises before Christmas after impressing a range of clubs with his performance in a joint practice session a fortnight ago.

The joint session saw scouts from a dozen NFL clubs attend a workout where Hayne impressed so much with his natural speed and agility, numerous clubs then lined up meetings and further physical testing with his US agent.

Prior to the Detroit session, Hayne spoke with San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. There are believed to be other clubs yet to be revealed.

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Former Australian gridiron star Colin Scotts, who has spoken with NFL sources regarding Hayne's progress, said the former Eel had posted "above average" times in the all-important 40-yard sprint, done well in strength training and is progressing well in the difficult world of NFL theory.

"The testing is full on," said Scotts, who played with the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Oilers.

"The 40-yard dash is their major requirement and everything revolves around that. I know Jarryd has been training hard on this and he has been doing some great times.

"There will also be a lot of flexibility, vertical leap and skills for hand coordination, especially if he is going to be doing some punt returning or running back.

"He has also got to show ball skills, so he'll have to throw a lot of balls.

"Then there will also be a big strength test. Apparently he has been doing pretty well on the bench press and he has bulked up.

"So from all indications he has gotten stronger and faster, which is exactly what I wanted him to do."

Jarryd Hayne during a training session. Source: News Corp Australia

Hayne is currently cramming all the information and terminology of an NFL playbook, said Scotts, but will have to have it all bedded down prior to a club signing him to a 90-man practice roster.

"Jarryd wouldn't want to come in blind because that's insulting to an NFL club or scout," Scotts said.

"So he is going to have to be ready to do major concentration on the academic side.

"It's like learning another language that's from a book as thick as a phone book, so he has got a lot to learn.

"He has done a little bit of work here in Australia, but it's so technical.

"He is also not certain of what position he is playing, so running back or punt returner and every position has its own phone book of rules.

Jarryd Hayne during a training session. Source: News Corp Australia

"So he has to know exactly what his 10 other teammates are doing, because it's all about rhythm and timing.

"Then he also has to worry about what the opposition is putting in front of him and that takes a lot of athletic ability and intelligence.

"I believe Jarryd has enough knowledge where he at least knows half of the lingo required, in terms of where he plays and what the other team is doing.

"But he has a lot of work to do and hopefully he can get on a practice squad to learn in a team that provides security.

"Jarryd is a freak athlete though, so I'm not going to say no.

"No one thought I could do it, so I think he has got a chance."

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Boyd on track for early return

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DARIUS Boyd has given the Broncos and Maroons a huge boost with the injured backline star outlining his plan to return ahead of schedule for next year's State of Origin series.

Speaking for the first time since surgery to repair his torn achilles, Boyd said the operation was such a success he could return to action three months earlier than initially predicted.

In 2010, Broncos ace Justin Hodges was forced to sit out the entire season after rupturing his achilles in January, only marginally later in the pre-season than Boyd's breakdown a fortnight ago.

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Darius Boyd leaves training in Bardon with a serious injury. Pic Jono Searle. Source: News Corp Australia

Boyd was originally expected to miss up to nine months, but the 27-year-old is eyeing a return in late May or early June — a scenario that would put him in the Origin selection frame.

Sydney's ANZ Stadium will host the Origin opener on May 27 and while that might be beyond Boyd, a comeback for Game Two on June 17 is feasible given his excellent injury record.

At club level, Boyd could don the Broncos No. 1 jumper before round 13 and is determined to leave no stone unturned in rehabilitation on the worst injury of his 10-year career.

"The Origin series is definitely still a goal with the time frame I'm looking at," Boyd told The Courier-Mail.

"Obviously I have to get back on the field and play good football for the Broncos first. But if I got a chance to be back for the Origin period and Mal (Meninga, Queensland coach) feels he wants to pick me, I'd be more than happy to put my hand up.

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"I'm hoping to be fit in time for the Origin series."

Hodges didn't play for 12 months after his first achilles rupture in 2010 and after his second in 2013, it took the veteran centre eight months to return to NRL action.

But with no prior history of lower-leg injuries, Boyd believes the knowledge Broncos medicos derived from Hodges' setbacks can shave several months from his recovery period.

The Test flyer hopes to discard his crutches and slip into a compression boot late next week.

"Some people reckon nine months but I'll be pushing for a six-month recovery myself," he said. "I won't really know for sure until I get up walking and running, but I think six months is realistic.

"I spoke to the anaesthetist before the op and he said the tendon wasn't too badly torn apart, so that was good to hear.

Andrew McCullough and Darius Boyd at training in Bardon, moments before Boyd's injury. Pic Jono Searle. Source: News Corp Australia

"I don't want to miss much footy, I'm disappointed it has happened and I want to be back as soon as possible. The Broncos have been good enough to have me back so I want to repay them for them.

"It's not too sore, I've been surprised actually, the pain hasn't been as bad as I expected. Even when it first happened, the pain wasn't too bad, hopefully that's a good sign.

"I've spoken to Ben Hunt (Broncos halfback), it's happened to him and 'Hodgo' has done his achilles twice so both those guys have given me some good advice already."

Asked who should replace him at fullback, Boyd said: "There's a lot of options. It's up to Wayne (Bennett, Broncos coach) but Hodgo has been there and done that

"Kodi Nikorima is one of the younger guys and I've been impressed with his athleticism at training so it's nice to know there's options."

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Bigger load for Freddie after Badree luck

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ANDREW "Freddie'' Flintoff arrived in Australia as the Brisbane Heat's star marketing drawcard but will now become a blockbusting Big Bash workhorse due to a shock injury drama.

The Courier-Mail can reveal West Indies leg-spinner and key Heat signing Samuel Badree will be ruled out for the entire Big Bash tournament as he undergoes shoulder surgery.

That leaves 37-year-old Flintoff and former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori as the Heat's only international players.

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Charismatic former England captain Flintoff was initially slated to play only the last portion of the Big Bash season with rules limiting teams to two international players at a time.

But it is now all hands on deck for the Heat and Flintoff will now be playing most, if not all, of the Big Bash.

West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree will miss BBL Source: Getty Images

The Heat's gain is Channel Ten's loss as it is unlikely the former England captain will be able to fulfil all of his commentary duties for the Big Bash broadcasters.

The Heat, who had their glittering season launch in Brisbane last night, play their opening Big Bash game against the Sydney Thunder at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night.

Heat coach Stuart Law, a great mate and former teammate of Flintoff at English county side Lancashire, sees no reason why the bullocking all-rounder won't play.

Badree, a rapid-fire leg-spinner, was going to open the bowling for the Heat, but fans are now likely to see Flintoff storming in with the new ball.

"It is a pretty clear case that we need a new-ball option, which we thought we had with Samuel,'' Law said.

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"We are definitely now looking at Fred (Flintoff) playing in as many games as we can. The chances are he will now play 90 per cent of our games, if not all of them. I would say he will play in our opening game, he is certainly fit and ready to play.''

Vettori will play only the first five matches of the tournament so the Heat will be short of international firepower as there is no immediate replacement for Badree.

Meanwhile, the horrendous injury curse of all-rounder Nick Buchanan has struck again and he has been ruled out of the Big Bash as he needs hip surgery.

The son of former Australian coach John has been replaced in the Heat squad by spin bowling all-rounder Jason Floros.

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Stewart a Christmas gift wrapped

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GLENN Stewart pulled on the famous South Sydney jumper for the first time on Tuesday and caught a glimpse of himself in a glass door that leads into the player's tunnel at Redfern Oval.

"Gee I look different. Really strange," Stewart admitted.

Stewart, 30, spoke exclusively with The Daily Telegraph about his surprise move to Redfern, Sam Burgess, Michael Maguire, his controversial departure from Manly, Sea Eagles teammates and how he will return this coming season after a fractured ankle.

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SAM BURGESS

Sam Burgess after the 2014 NRL Grand Final. Source: News Corp Australia

Some are already saying Stewart will replace Burgess. Not so, according to Stewart.

"I have been told a few times by Souths fans that I have big shoes to fill by replacing Sam Burgess," Stewart said.

"I certainly won't be trying to replace Sam Burgess. I don't think anyone could anyway, especially looking at a couple of the games he played, the grand final in particular.

"We have completely games as well. I'd be an idiot to come in and think I could play like him. I can't. I've got other strengths hopefully and a passing game and I'll be looking to use my strengths here to help the team. Most importantly I have to fit into Madge's (coach Michael Maguire) game plan."

NEW JUMPER

Glenn Stewart in full Souths kit for the first time. Source: News Limited

After being in maroon and white for 12 years, Stewart is now in myrtle green and cardinal red.

"It's definitely different," he said.

"It's a big change but it's been a good change. Looking back, it was probably a change I needed. Coming here, a big thing I have noticed the average age is 21 or 22 where back at Manly it's maybe 29. I feel like the young blokes have given me a big freshen-up, especially I am now back on the training field and trying to keep up with them. It will be good for my fitness. And I definitely feel younger mentally. I know Souths have a really proud history."

GRAND FINAL

South Sydney with the NRL premiership trophy. Source: News Corp Australia

Stewart watched the grand final from his northside home, admiring the way Souths dismantled Canterbury during the latter stages of the second half.

"I thought Souths were pretty dominant for the last month of the finals," Stewart said.

"They got better each game. It was a grinding grand final in the first half but they ran away with it and probably deserved that score in the end."

Asked could Souths go back-to-back, Stewart said: "It's so hard — every week everyone is trying to knock you off. It is relentless. When you haven't won the grand final, you can have lulls during the year but when you are the premiers, no team takes you lightly. They make you work for every win."

MANLY

Glenn Stewart in action. Source: News Corp Australia

Stewart left in sad circumstances but still walked away having helped Manly to ten successive finals series and two premierships.

"It obviously wasn't the ideal finish, the way it all played out," he said.

"Manly has been such a big part of my life, I have great times and great memories there. Two grand final wins and a couple of losses. The experiences over the years were great.

"I went through the rebuilding phase after the Northern Eagles. The Penn family have just bought the club again so hopefully that's a good thing."

THE DEPARTURE

A Quantum-aligned director, Phil Sidney, told the club not to sign Stewart. Sidney has now gone, Stewart though still feels some pain.

"I was more disappointed the way it happened," Stewart said.

"I wanted to be straight-up with the club and asked them to be straight-up with me. I feel I got the run-around a little bit rather than them giving a straight answer, which would have been fine. They were entitled to their reasons, injuries and stuff, but I was reading more in the papers than I was being told by people at the club."

BROOKVALE BROTHERHOOD

Glenn Stewart with his brother Brett Stewart. Source: News Corp Australia

Stewart was buoyed by the staunch public support he attracted from senior players including Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Anthony Watmough, Kieran Foran and, of course, brother Brett. Watmough left for Parramatta.

"That was flattering, getting that from all the boys," he said.

"I felt sorry for a couple of them that copped a lot of flak for opening their mouth when the club didn't want them to. We were a close-knit unit for a lot of years. We all feel very strongly as friends. I appreciated the support that came from them."

THE INJURY

Glenn Stewart comes off injured. Source: News Corp Australia

Stewart fractured his ankle back in round eight last year, further complications meant he didn't play again. He underwent two operations but will be back fresh, fit and ready in 2015.

"The injury is going great — I have been working really hard with the physio and rehab team here since pretty much a week after they won the grand final," Stewart said.

"I am ahead of schedule and nearly back to full training with the boys and hoping not to miss out on too many of the trial games."

MICHAEL MAGUIRE

"I get on really well with 'Madge'," Stewart said.

"Full credit to him for all the staff he has put here and how he has got this club back to being so competitive. There are little bits Des (Hasler) in Madge, how he turned Manly around. Des is really structured and very professional and Madge is like that. He always wants the best out of his staff and players."

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Suncorp Stadium behind the times

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THE NRL wants Suncorp Stadium to join its major Sydney stadiums in offering spectators a full wi-fi network for smart phones and tablets.

Patrons at Suncorp Stadium and the Gabba are distinctly offline in comparison to the free wi-fi experience enjoyed in the Sydney Cricket Ground's year-old grandstand, ANZ Stadium, Adelaide Oval and Melbourne's Etihad Stadium.

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A $10 million investment by the SCG and Sports Ground Trust will provide Allianz Stadium patrons with wi-fi and an internet Protocol TV network from March at next year's NRL, rugby union and football games.

Fans at ANZ Stadium cheer for South Sydney during the grand final. Pic. Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia

Fans who go to sports events often find some mobile carriers are not able to offer a satisfactory service because the network cannot handle demand at the grounds.

"We want all our major stadiums to be fully connected with wi-fi,'' NRL head of commercial Paul Kind said.

ANZ Stadium bosses boasted last year their Origin match last season was the first to be played in a fully connected stadium, with fans able to use free Wi-Fi to post on social media or access statistics and replays.

Both Suncorp Stadium and the Gabba have wi-fi in their media and corporate boxes and some other areas for operational business, but spectators are unable to access the stadium's wi-fi network.

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Suncorp Stadium management declined to comment on any plans for a complete wi-fi service in future when contacted by The Courier-Mail.

The SCG Trust promises patrons at Allianz Stadium next year access with their handheld devices to high-density wi-fi. It permits purchase of food and drinks, network use of social media and a capacity for real-time action replays and statistical updates of games.

NRL chief executive Dave Smith said the wi-fi experience would allow Sydney league fans "the best possible game-day experience (with a range of entertainment and service opportunities''.

Spectators at Allianz Stadium next year and in the new stand at the SCG's cricket Test next month can order food and drink from their seat. They receive a message in reply, which tells them when their order will be ready and the outlet from which to pick it up.

A $10 million investment will give fans access to wifi at Allianz Stadium. Source: Getty Images

"Venues the world over are having to compete with the at-home experience of sports,'' SCG Trust chief executive Jamie Barkley said.

"When complete, we want fans to access the network from any area of the SCG and Allianz Stadium precinct.

"Our network is about creating the living room experience live (at the ground) and with technology services available in the palm of your hand.''

The MCG's wi-fi capacity reportedly struggled this season to service the public when attendances exceeded 40,000.

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McIlroy named Euro player of year

Rory McIlroy has been named European player of the year. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Corp Australia

RORY McIlroy has been chosen as the European Tour player of the year, capping a season in which he won two majors, the Ryder Cup, and topped the money lists in Europe and the United States.

McIlroy, the world No. 1, won his maiden British Open title by two strokes over Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia at Royal Liverpool in July, and less than a month later earned a second US PGA Championship at Valhalla, finishing a shot clear of Phil Mickelson.

Between McIlroy's third and fourth major wins, the Northern Irishman won the World Golf Championship event at Firestone for the first time, again with a two-shot victory over Garcia.

Overall, he took four big titles over three months, starting in May at the tour's flagship event at Wentworth, where he edged Shane Lowry by a shot on a course where he missed the halfway cut the previous two years.

Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki before their split. Source: Supplied

That victory came days after cancelling a wedding and relationship with tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.

At the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in September, McIlroy won three points as Europe successfully defended the title.

"If I had won any one of those four titles it would have been a good year, but to win all four, to win The Race to Dubai, and to be part of another fantastic European victory in the Ryder Cup, means it is a great one," McIlroy said.

"The European Tour has always been good to me, so it is always special to be recognised in this way."

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