Eels slip into Ellerston

THE Parramatta Eels have been tight lipped in regard to their 2008 training camp held at the illustrious Upper Hunter Ellerston property, owned by the Packer family.

But in an exclusive interview with The Advocate, the club gave insight into what it was like to train in a millionaire’s playground.

According to Parramatta Eels club manager Andrew Hill, it has been a matter of respect that stopped the club from revealing the camp’s location.

“Out of respect for the property we didn’t say too much about it,” he said.

According to Mr Hill, James Packer personally approved the decision to hold the camp at Ellerston, despite previously holding a director position at rival club, The Sydney Roosters.

“I think he’s probably a Roosters fan,” Mr Hill commented.

Twenty five of the team’s top players, including current Australian and NSW winger Jarryd Hayne attended the camp at Ellerston.

“It was unbelievable, just awesome. Once we got there everything just came to life,” Jarryd told The Advocate.

The NSW Winger said not only was it great to get away, but that he was also able to get some insight into what it would be like to go on a billionaire’s holiday.

“The facilities are fantastic. I mostly went on the go-carts. Tom Cruise’s personal go-cart was there, and I almost beat Prince Harry’s record on the track. It was good to just get away and try something different.”

The team arrived at the property on Sunday, January 13 and while they did get some time to enjoy the facilities, training was also on the menu.

Head coach Michael Hagan said despite being on a property frequented by Hollywood stars and members of the royal family, for the Eels it was business as usual.

“We pretty much followed a similar training program as we would have in Sydney. We just relocated the players and staff to a better environment that was free from distractions, coach Hagan said.”

The Eels head coach also agreed the property offered great down time facilities for the players.

“On Tuesday after training a few of the boys played a bit of golf and some took a look around the property.”

Also enjoying a round of golf at Ellerston last week was ex-Newcastle Knights captain Andrew Johns.

“Andrew came up and went through some training skills with the back and back runners. We had a chance for a game of golf together,” coach Hagan said.

Before leaving the players signed a significant number of autographs for staff at Ellerston, and said they hope this won’t be their last trip to the property.

“The facilities are fantastic and hopefully we’ll get invited back some day,” coach Hagan said.

Round One of the NRL season begins on March 14.

Legends hail Eels centres

MINTO millionaires Krisnan Inu and Jarryd Hayne have been hailed as potentially Parramatta's best centre pairing since four-time premiership-winning duo Mick Cronin and Steve Ella.

And the Eels' new international centres, Inu, 20, and Hayne, 19, rank among the youngest three-quarter pairing at club level in the code's 100-year history.

Retired Test centre Steve Renouf, nicknamed the Pearl for his skills and dynamic speed, believes Inu and Hayne - who have just signed lucrative deals to stay at Parramatta - can develop into a lethal long-term midfield for the club.

"As a centre pairing, there's no reason why they can't form the type of combination (of Cronin and Ella), they've definitely got the opportunity to do it,'' Renouf said.

"I can't believe the confidence they carry at such a young age. It's crazy but it's good to see. They're not afraid to have a go and that's what benefits a team.

"I'm sure they'd love to be part of Parramatta winning a grand final - it would be the first one in a long time.''

Cronin and Ella formed one of the Eels' most prolific centre combinations in the club's 61-year history during the 1980s.

The duo starred in all four Eels premierships and have backed the latest pairing as having the quality to end Parramatta's 21-year title drought.

"You just tend to think they'll make a fist of it,'' Cronin said.

"They both did some things last year that only the really special players can do.

"Hayne did some spectacular things in his State of Origin debut and Inu was the same in his first Test.''

And Ella added: "They're both young, exciting players and it's great to see they've decided to stay at Parramatta.

"Their destiny is in their own hands, they can achieve whatever they want to achieve. They've both already played for their countries and that just shows what wonderful talents they are.''

Parramatta coach Michael Hagan has confirmed Inu will assume the left centre position, with Hayne to form a partnership on the right side with winger Eric Grothe.

Inu signs on for two more years

YOUNG Parramatta star Krisnan Inu has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the NRL club until the end of 2010 season.

The Kiwi international said he believed the club would be a strong contender for grand finals in the coming seasons after losing to eventual premiers Melbourne in last year's preliminary final.

The signing is a further boost for the Eels after stitching up a deal to keep fellow backline young gun Jarryd Hayne at the club.

Eels lift halfback Smith's suspension

Troubled Parramatta halfback Tim Smith will finally resume his NRL pre-season after the club lifted a suspension on him.

Queenslander Smith was suspended indefinitely by the Eels following a series of alcohol related incidents last month, including him being caught drinking less than a week after agreeing to a booze ban.

Smith, who turns 23 on Sunday, has agreed to a number of sanctions, which include a fine, charity work and further rehabilitation, the club said in a statement.

Parramatta general manager Greg Mitchell, coach Michael Hagan and football manager Andrew Hill met with Smith's manager David Riolo on Tuesday to discuss the halfback's future with the 2007 NRL semi-finalists.

"Tim has been working hard to overcome a number of personal issues and is very grateful of the support from the Parramatta Eels and general support from the community," Riolo said in the statement.

"Tim is looking forward to returning to training and the season ahead."

The club's hierarchy have thrown their support behind the 2005 NRL rookie of the year, who is also recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and is likely to miss the first month of NRL action.

"I am satisfied with the process that the club and Tim have taken and we are placing a support mechanism around Tim," Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said in the statement.

Hagan added: "I am looking forward to Tim returning to training and, along with the team, stepping up preparations for the 2008 season."

On December 14 Smith booked himself into a Queensland rehabilitation clinic after a drinking binge less than a week after he'd agreed to a booze ban.

A week earlier, the Eels had fined the halfback $1,000 and issued the season-long ban after a member of the public complained about obnoxious behaviour by Smith.

In 2006 he was threatened with the sack and fined $10,000 for alcohol influenced behaviour.

Electric Eel Krisnan Inu ready to ink Parramatta deal

PARRAMATTA young gun Krisnan Inu hopes his future can be secured by the end of the week.
One of the most marketable young talents in rugby league, Inu yesterday revealed how close he was to striking a deal with the Eels shortly after completing a pre-season training session at AFL club Essendon in Melbourne.

The New Zealand international appears certain to follow teammate Jarryd Hayne's loyalty by ignoring lucrative offers from rivals to remain at Parramatta.

"I think they've been talking to my manager (Isaac Moses) over the past few weeks, but nothing's been finalised," Inu, 20, said.

"We're trying to get it sorted this week.

"Maybe he will let me know when I get back (to Sydney) today or tomorrow but I won't know anything (until then)."

Inu had been circled by several clubs including the Roosters, Bulldogs, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Cronulla.

Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said last night a deal with Inu was close to being reached.

"We've been talking to him for a couple of weeks and we're getting pretty close," Fitzgerald said.
"We're not there yet, but we're very close."

However, Eels coach Michael Hagan said an early Christmas present of Inu's signature was unlikely.

"Hopefully in the second week of January we can get it tied up," he said.

Inu and Hayne, who squared off in October's Test match between New Zealand and Australia, are close mates of Storm sensation Israel Folau. Their friendship stretches back to primary school.

Inu expects the trio to be heavily targeted next season after taking the competition by storm in 2007.

"I hope not, but you can't change that," he said.

"The Anzac Test (in April) was the big one for me after playing one first-grade game.

"I thought it was all right because no one knew me, I had no real hype to live up to, no expectations.

"I was free to do whatever. But now, as the season's gone past, people have seen what I can do and it's a bit harder, knowing what I can do."