Former NRL player Jarryd Hayne is assisting the Vodafone Fiji Bati team as they prepare for their matches in the Pacific Bowl Championship. The team will compete against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls in their first match on Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Hayne, who has twice received the Dally M Medal, is contributing significantly to the team’s offensive strategies. The Australian-born athlete, originally from Cikobia, Macuata, praised the NRL for organizing this championship, highlighting the representation of Pacific island players within the league.
He emphasized the importance of the Bati players reconnecting with their families and cultural roots. “It’s been a long time coming for something like this to happen,” said the former Bati full-back. He noted that the Aboriginal community in Australia is increasingly recognizing and appreciating their cultural heritage, making it vital for the Fijian players to immerse themselves in their own culture and the team dynamic.
Although the Bati boasts several NRL players, Hayne acknowledged the strength of the Kumuls, who are the reigning champions of the Pacific Bowl Championship. He remarked on the toughness of the PNG team, stating, “You just know they’re going to be tough. Their culture is rugby league, it’s all about full force.”
Hayne called on fans and families to show their support for the home team. “There should be plenty of talent on display on Saturday night. You don’t get to see this much talent in Fiji very often, so I encourage everyone to come down and experience the atmosphere and what rugby league is about.”
Reflecting on the progress made over the years, Hayne said, “It’s been a long journey, what was almost 16 or 17 years from where we were, from the army barracks and now we’re in five-star hotels; we’ve come a long way.”
Earlier this year, Hayne was released from prison after successfully appealing a sexual assault conviction.