Former National Rugby League (NRL) player Jarryd Hayne is assisting the Vodafone Fiji Bati team as they prepare for the Pacific Bowl Championship matches. The Bati will kick off their campaign against the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls on Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Hayne, who has won the Dally M Medal twice, is contributing to the team by enhancing their attacking strategies. The Australian-born athlete, hailing from Cikobia in Macuata, praised the NRL for organizing this championship, highlighting the significant representation of Pacific island players in the league.
He emphasized the importance of Bati members reconnecting with their families and heritage. “It’s been a long time coming for something like this to happen,” said the former Bati full-back. “The Aboriginal culture in Australia is beginning to understand this more deeply, so it’s fantastic for those with Fijian culture to return and immerse themselves in their heritage and the team environment.”
Although the team includes players from the NRL, Hayne acknowledged that the Kumuls remain a formidable opponent, being the reigning champions of the Pacific Bowl Championship. He stated, “PNG is one of those countries where no matter the selection, they are always going to be tough. Their culture revolves around rugby league; they thrive on physicality and running straight.”
“When they don the Kumuls jersey, they play with passion. The boys are eager and fully aware of the physical challenge ahead.”
Hayne called upon fans and families to support the home team in large numbers. “There will be an abundance of talent on display this Saturday,” he remarked. “Such high-caliber talent is a rarity in Fiji, so I urge everyone to come and experience the atmosphere and spirit of rugby league. Hopefully, this will inspire more young Fijians to represent the Bati.”
Reflecting on the team’s journey, he noted, “We’ve come a long way in the past 16 or 17 years, evolving from army barracks to now staying in five-star hotels.”
In June, Hayne was released from prison after successfully appealing a sexual assault conviction.