Jarryd Hayne has rejoined the rugby league community, assuming a mentoring position with the Vodafone Fiji Bati in preparation for the Pacific Championship. According to reports from News Corp and The Sydney Morning Herald, Hayne will collaborate closely with players such as Michael Jennings, Sunia Turuva, Viliame Kikau, and Maika Sivo.
Hayne arrived in Fiji and was seen participating in training at Albert Park in Suva on Monday. While he will not return to play, he is excited to take on this mentoring role, having previously represented Fiji on the international stage. This marks Hayne’s first involvement in the NRL since 2018.
Fiji’s coach Wise Kativerata, who played alongside Hayne’s father Manoa Thompson for the Bati, reached out to Hayne after his release from prison to check on his well-being. Hayne had spent nearly two years behind bars before being released in June after successfully appealing a rape conviction.
Kativerata expressed his concern for Hayne and stated, “I rang him just to talk to him and to see how he was going. I wanted to make sure he was okay. He was happy to hear from us.” He later informed Hayne about the state of rugby league in Fiji and invited him to help the team, emphasizing it would benefit both Hayne and the team.
Initially, Hayne thought the idea was a joke, but given his significant achievements in rugby league as a two-time Dally M Medal winner, Kativerata was keen to include him. The players in Fiji look up to Hayne for his skills, having played 214 NRL games and participated in 10 Tests for the Bati.
Fiji is scheduled to face Papua New Guinea on Saturday night.