Roosters pull out of Jarryd Hayne race because of personality flaw

The Roosters have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign nomad superstar Jarryd Hayne.

Hayne has announced he is chasing the opportunity to play for the world-champion Fiji team at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, beginning August 5.

The Roosters were previously considered the front-runners to recruit Hayne for the 2017 NRL season, but have now pulled out of the race, according to Channel 7.

A report on Wednesday night claimed Hayne's link to the Parramatta Eels' salary cap scandal and the star's unique personality have subdued the Bondi club's interest in offering the 28-year-old a mega-rich deal.

"Although they've been watching him with interest over the past 12 months, the Roosters have rapidly cooled on the idea of signing Hayne to what would have to be the code's richest deal," Channel 7 reported.

"A number of factors have dampened their interest over the past months or so. The first is the fact Hayne's manager, Wayne Beavis, is part of the NRL's salary cap investigation into Parramatta and could face sanctions.

"As a consequence of that probe, the Roosters know the NRL will be closely watching whatever package is compiled to entice Hayne back to rugby league.

"The upshot? Hayne will end up taking up an enormous chunk of club's salary cap. That's made the Roosters question whether he'll be worth all the trouble.

"They know Hayne - the ultimate individual athlete - won't make the same difference to the team's culture and work ethic as Sonny Bill Williams in 2013.

"While at Parramatta Hayne was known to regularly train alone, or refuse certain drills altogether."

Hayne's move to the Roosters would also impact on the development of 18-year-old fullback Latrell Mitchell and potentially hurt the club's ability to retain the rising star fullback.

Four rival NRL clubs have publicly declared their interest in luring Hayne back to rugby league once his Olympic Games commitments are over.

Gold Coast, St George Illawarra, Newcastle and the Wests Tigers made no attempt to hide their interest on Tuesday, joining Newcastle in the race for the recently retired San Francisco 49er.

Coincidentally, all four clubs are currently financially backed by the governing body.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor made no bones of their want for the former Eels No.1.

"He's an exceptional talent. I've had a little bit to do with him through Fiji and NSW and we're always after quality players and he is at the top level of that," McGregor told reporters in Wollongong.

"If he was on the market we would like to be in the mix."

Hayne, who sensationally quit the NFL in an attempt to play rugby sevens with Fiji in Rio later this year, has previously said he would only return to Parramatta.

Eels officials declined to comment on Hayne's potential return to the NRL.