Jarryd Hayne joins Fiji rugby league team in mentoring role
Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne has returned to rugby league after officially joining the Fijian Bati for the side’s Pacific Championship campaign.
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Former Parramatta and Australian player Jarryd Hayne has officially joined the Fijian Bati coaching staff ahead of rugby league’s Pacific Championships, which starts this Friday night.
A relaxed-looking Hayne was at training in Suva’s Albert Park on Monday ahead of Fiji’s opening match against Papua New Guinea on Saturday evening, also in Suva.
Hayne, 36, denied an invitation from Fiji coach Wise Kativerata, a former St George, Souths and Parramatta winger, to make a surprise return to playing but agreed to a mentoring role with the Bati.
Controversial Sydney Roosters centre Michael Jennings has claimed a spot in a Fijian squad which includes current and former NRL stars Sunia Turuva, Maika Sivo, Waqa Blake, Tui Kamikamica, Viliame Kikau, Semi Valemei, Kevin Naiqama and Taane Milne.
“Fiji’s culture of rugby league, they love the physical stuff,” Hayne said.
“It doesn’t matter who they pick, you just know what to expect, regardless. They are as passionate as any nation I have played against. (Opposition nations) will know what they’re in for.
“It’s great the (NRL) boys have come back. It’s a long season, these boys have been going for close to 11 months now.
“For them to come back at the end of the year is awesome. They will be proud and there will be plenty on display this Saturday.
“You don’t get this much talent in Fiji very often. This (tournament) is huge. The NRL has done a great job putting it on.”
Hayne, who also played for Gold Coast and Australia, played ten Tests for Fiji through 2008 and 2017-2018, scoring five tries.
He chose to represent Fiji through the heritage of his father Manoa Thompson, a former Souths, Auckland and Wests centre.
Fiji will compete for the Pacific Bowl along with PNG and Cook Islands.
The Bati will play Cook Islands in Suva on Saturday week and hope to reach the promotion/relegation playoff at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium on November 10.
Hayne recalled being part of the Fiji side which famously qualified for the 2008 World Cup semi-finals.
“It’s been a long time coming for something like this to happen,” Hayne said.
One Fijian-based journalist said: “Hayne is a superstar here.”
Hayne, one of the finest players of his generation, had sexual assault convictions quashed on appeal and was released from prison in June.
Fiji’s coaching staff includes former Souths star John Sutton, ex-Canterbury fullback Luke Goodwin and former NRL player Shane Millard.
Jennings will play after a contentious season where the NRL elected against honouring his 300th game due to “past conduct.”
The 36-year-old has Fijian heritage but has previously chosen to represent Australia and Tonga.
“We have just one week to prepare, but most of our players come from professional backgrounds, so they understand the task at hand,” said Kativerata. “We’ll focus on the small details leading up to Saturday’s game.”
The Fijian team attended a church service before training.
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Originally published as Jarryd Hayne joins Fiji rugby league team in mentoring role
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Jarryd Hayne returns to rugby league
Former Parramatta Eels superstar Jarryd Hayne is returning to rugby league for the first time since he was released from jail this year.