Former National Rugby League (NRL) star Jarryd Hayne has joined the Vodafone Fiji Bati team in preparation for their upcoming matches in the Pacific Bowl Championship. The Bati will kick off their tournament against the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls on Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
As a two-time Dally M Medal recipient, Hayne is stepping in to assist the team, particularly focusing on their offensive strategies. He praised the NRL for hosting this championship in the region, acknowledging the significant number of Pacific island players competing.
Hayne 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,” he remarked, noting that the Australian Aboriginal community is increasingly recognizing cultural ties, which is beneficial for the players of Fijian descent.
Despite the presence of NRL players, Hayne highlighted that the Kumuls are a formidable opponent, being the defending champions of the Pacific Bowl Championship. He noted, “PNG is probably the country in the world who doesn’t matter who they pick; you just know they’re going to be tough. Their culture is rugby league, it’s all about full force – they love running straight, they love the physical stuff.”
He also called on rugby league fans and families to support the home team. “It 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, be a part of us – see the atmosphere and what rugby league is about,” he said, expressing hope for more young Fijians to join the Bati in the future.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Hayne mentioned the significant progress made over the past 16 to 17 years, stating, “What was almost from the army barracks and now we’re in five-star hotels, we’ve come a long way.”
Hayne was released from prison in June after winning an appeal regarding a sexual assault conviction.