Down and out: Jarryd Hayne never reached any great heights with the Titans. Credit:AAP Hayne did not leave Parramatta on a whim. He had been toying with the idea of trying his hand at American football and wanted to leave a year earlier. It was out of respect for Arthur, in his rookie season as a head coach, that he stayed. "I was in Bali when he contacted me about leaving," Arthur revealed. "He just had a dream to fulfil and wanted to go 12 months before that, to be honest with you. "But he felt he didn't want to let me down. At times in 2014 – and I didn't know this until later on – he was struggling a bit with his heart not being 100 per cent in it. It was still in the back of his head he wanted to give the NFL a crack. He has always had dreams of that.

Jarryd Hayne is finally back at Parramatta after his NFL flirtation. Credit:Tony Avelar "The fact is he stayed there out of respect and was part of the driving force to try get me to the club. It was tough for him to tell me he was going and I'm not going to force a player to stay when I knew he didn't want to. "I knew all along that at some stage that was part of the bigger picture for him." Arthur almost missed out on the Eels gig altogether. After Ricky Stuart's departure, the club offered the role to Jason Taylor. They were so confident a deal would get struck that they recorded a video interview with Taylor, in which he spoke about his excitement about the role. Hayne respected Taylor – who handed him his first-grade debut when he was acting coach after Brian Smith left the club – but was one of several players pushing for Arthur. In the end, they got their wish. What became of that video footage remains one of league's great mysteries. The fortunes of both men have fluctuated since. Hayne left the NRL with his second Dally M medal, but hasn't been able to produce anything resembling that form in his return. Having punted on Arthur, Parramatta have been rewarded handsomely.

Many view Hayne's signing as a Titanic gamble. Arthur doesn't see it that way. "I had no hesitation," Arthur said. "I know exactly how he is going to be. "It's my job to get the best football out of him." Hayne's arrival will result in a player being squeezed out of the back line. However, no one will be forced out of the club. Parramatta spent only $500,000 on the cross-code star, leaving them with sufficient room to add to their roster before the March kick-off. Their next priority is a forward and Alex Walmsley is one of several players to pique their interest. The English international has impressed during the Rugby League World Cup, leading to interest from several NRL clubs. The Dragons are also keen, but it remains to be seen whether he will shift hemispheres.