What’s the Buzz: Renowned coach Roger Fabri opens up on Jarryd Hayne comeback

Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce, Jake Friend, Anthony Milford, Bronson Xerri, and now Jarryd Hayne. Roger Fabri opens up to Phil Rothfield on why he’s helping Hayne get back on his feet.

Roger Fabri is a specialist at bringing down-and-out footy players back from the scrap heap.

This is why he genuinely believes he can help fallen superstar Jarryd Hayne reinvent himself, even at 36 years of age and 12kg over his playing weight.

Over the years the renowned sprint coach has worked with some troubled individuals – the likes of Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce, Jake Friend, Anthony Milford, Bronson Xerri and rugby star Kurtley Beale, who earlier this year was found not guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and sexual touching.

Carney and Pearce no longer drink, Friend is a father, a coach and owns a successful plumbing business, and Xerri has made a barnstorming comeback this year from a doping ban.

Fabri picked them all up at the lowest point of their lives.

Roger Fabri and Todd Carney. Credit: Supplied.

Sprint coach Roger Fabri, green top, trains Bronson Xerri in Maroubra a year before his return to the NRL. Picture: John Grainger.

His next project is Hayne, the fallen superstar recently released from prison after being acquitted of sexual assault.

Hayne hasn’t played footy since 2018 – the year he was charged – but was photographed training with Fabri last week in images that found their way onto social media.

Remarkably, Fabri says he’s confident he could get Hayne fit enough to play again.

“He hasn’t told me what he wants to do but the legal fees cost him a fortune and he needs to feed his family,” Fabri said.

Jarryd Hayne training with Roger Fabri. Picture: Instagram

“I don’t think anyone can deny the fact he’s an athletic freak.

“What he did in the NFL to be chosen as a running back, I don’t think we’ll ever see it again.

“What he’s done is herculean.

“If he wants sport to be part of his life again you wouldn’t back against him.

“I wouldn’t say anything’s out of the question.

“I’d like to think I’m the best in what I do and I looked after him before he went to the NFL.”

Fabri says he is assisting Hayne as a close friend as much as a coach.

“The most important thing for me is for Jarryd to be mentally happy,” Fabri said.

“Make him feel like he’s adjusting well back into society.

“He ruined three years of his life. I’ve been through this myself.

“I’ve had him from day one and I want to help him get fit again.

“It’s early days and we’ll see how he goes.”