Former National Rugby League (NRL) player Jarryd Hayne has joined the Vodafone Fiji Bati team in preparation for their Pacific Bowl Championship matches. The Bati will compete against the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls in their first match on Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Hayne, a two-time Dally M Medal winner, is assisting the team with their offensive strategies as they gear up for the tournament. He expressed his approval of the NRL for hosting the championship in the region, given the significant number of Pacific island players involved.
The Australian-born athlete 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,” Hayne remarked, noting the evolving understanding of Aboriginal culture in Australia and the significance of Fijian culture for the team.
Despite the presence of NRL players in the Bati squad, Hayne acknowledged that the Kumuls are always a formidable opponent, being the reigning champions of the Pacific Bowl Championship. He highlighted the competitive nature of PNG, saying, “PNG is probably the country in the world who doesn’t matter who they pick, you just know they’re going to be tough.”
He called on rugby league fans and families to come out and support the home team, guaranteeing an exciting display of talent on Saturday night. “It should be plenty of talent on display,” he added. “You don’t get to see this much talent in Fiji very often, so I encourage everyone to come down and experience the atmosphere of rugby league.”
Reflecting on the growth of rugby league in Fiji over the past 16 or 17 years, Hayne noted the progress from humble beginnings to more luxurious arrangements. He was recently released from prison in June after a successful appeal against a sexual assault conviction.