Jarryd Hayne powers Eels to comeback victory

Jarryd Hayne belatedly kick-started Parramatta's NRL premiership campaign with the Dally M medallist powering the Eels to a stunning 24-20 comeback win over Manly at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday.

Down 20-12 with just six minutes remaining, the Eels crossed for two late tries with Hayne setting up the last for Eric Grothe three minutes from time with a brilliant cut-out pass.

The Sea Eagles were again left to rue their inability to close out games, having led 20-0 shortly after halftime when Matt Cross scored the visitors' fourth try under the posts.

Manly also led West Tigers 20-4 in the opening round only to be run down by the Tigers in the latter stages of the game.

Parramatta looked down for the count when former Eels Trent Hodkinson, Tony Williams and Jamie Lyon scored first-half tries, with the home side looking a long way from the team predicted by many to win this year's title.

Things got worse when Cross picked a ball which had rebounded off a Tim Mannah's foot following a Hodkinson kick, the Eels finally getting on the board when Fuifui Moimoi charged over from short range.

That's when Hayne took over, the Eels fullback taking pass inside his own in-goal from 200-gamer Luke Burt before beating five Manly defenders, the last of which left him sprawling on the ground.

He passed off the ground for Daniel Mortimer who fed Timana Tahu for his first try since his return to rugby league.

It looked like the Eels had left their run too late before a controversial try to Joel Reddy in the 74th minute, with Kris Keating's final pass to Reddy clearly travelling forward.

- AAP