Rio Olympics: Jarryd Hayne faces uphill task to make Fiji sevens team

Jarryd Hayne faces a near-impossible task to force his way into Fiji’s 12-man Rio squad.

Jarryd Hayne in action for Fiji against England at the Londion Sevens tournament at Twickenham.

Jarryd Hayne faces a near-impossible task to force his way into Fiji’s 12-man Rio squad.

On current form, and having barely registered a total of 15 minutes of playing time across six games at the London Sevens tournament at Twickenham, he won’t be picked.

This is a Fijian side celebrating back-to-back Rugby Sevens World Series victories, secured with a fourth-place finish at the London tournament which was won by Scotland, who upset South Africa 27-26 in the final.

This is also a Fijian side with six world-class players who didn’t even play over the weekend.

Hayne is a world-class athlete himself, a two-time NRL Dally M medal winner, who transitioned into the NFL.

But to get into Fiji’s sevens rugby team with less than three months until the Rio Games appears to be the most daunting sporting challenge he’s ever faced.

“At the moment, I’m behind the eight ball and I’ve got no problem with that. It’s about working hard and getting there,” Hayne said.

“They’re the world champs. Sometimes in life, it’s not about success, but it’s about the experience and just being part of that team.’’

Hayne now faces six weeks of intense training in Fiji to prove not only that he is fit enough for Rio, but good enough to displace one of the team’s established stars.

AAP