Jarryd Hayne, the 2014 Dally M award winner, may make a return to the Fiji Bati national team after a five-year absence. Fiji Bati head coach Wise Kativerata hinted at this possibility in a recent interview, stating that the team would welcome Hayne back if he wishes to join. “The door is open for him if he wants to join. He is fit, but we are just waiting on his decision. His participation would be a boost for the team,” Kativerata remarked.
The announcement of the Bati squad for the Pacific Championships has been postponed until next week as team management is still finalizing player releases from their respective NRL clubs.
Jarryd Hayne began his professional career in 2006 with the Parramatta Eels, where he won the NRL’s Dally M Rookie of the Year award. The following year, he made his debut for New South Wales in the State of Origin and represented Australia internationally before transitioning to a fullback position. He received the Dally M Medal in 2009 and 2014 as rugby league’s player of the year and was named the Rugby League International Federation’s International Player of the Year in 2009.
Hayne played for Australia in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and also represented Fiji in the 2008 and 2017 tournaments. In a notable career move, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL for the 2015 season before returning to rugby league and ending his NFL career. After a brief stint in rugby union sevens with the Fiji 7s in 2016 and a return to the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans, Hayne completed his NRL career with Parramatta in 2018. He notably led the Fiji Bati team to a surprise victory over New Zealand in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
In June, Hayne was released from court after rape charges against him were formally dropped, and he successfully appealed his convictions earlier this month. Hayne has consistently denied the allegations, asserting that the encounter in question was consensual.
Kativerata mentioned ongoing discussions with other NRL players interested in representing Fiji, including Mark Nawaqanitawase, Tui Kamikamica, and Api Koroisau. There are also expectations for explosive forward Viliame Kikau to be included in the squad. The Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) will also focus on incorporating local players from the Vodafone Cup, aiming to infuse new talent into the team.
Last year, young players like Kitione Kautoga and Caleb Navale were brought into the fold, and Kativerata emphasized the importance of Fijian players making their debuts and stepping up. The team’s goal this year is to secure victory, focusing on building towards the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Australia. Kativerata praised Tui Kamikamica as a humble giant and a positive influence for the team during the Pacific Nations Cup matches, stressing the need for preparation for their upcoming clash against a formidable Papua New Guinea side. His commitment is to guide the team toward success by establishing the right combination of players.