Former National Rugby League (NRL) star Jarryd Hayne is assisting the Vodafone Fiji Bati team as they prepare for their upcoming Pacific Bowl Championship matches. The Bati will kick off the competition against the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls on Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Hayne, a two-time Dally M Medal recipient, is stepping in to support the team, particularly focusing on their attacking strategies.
The Australian-born player, originally from Cikobia, Macuata, praised the NRL for bringing this championship to the Pacific, highlighting the significant presence of Pacific island players in the league. He emphasized the importance of the Bati team members reconnecting with their families and their cultural roots.
“It’s been a long time coming for something like this to happen,” said Hayne, a former full-back for the Bati. He noted that there is a growing appreciation among Aboriginal Australians for the significance of cultural identity, which makes the opportunity for Fijian players to engage with their heritage all the more special.
Despite the Bati having several NRL players on their roster, Hayne recognized the ongoing challenge posed by the Kumuls, who are the defending champions of the Pacific Bowl Championship.
“PNG is probably the country in the world where, regardless of who they pick, you just know they’re going to be tough. Their culture revolves around rugby league, and they thrive on intensity and physicality. When they wear the Kumuls jersey, they play with passion. The boys are ready for a physical game,” he stated.
He called on rugby league fans and local families to come out and support the home team in large numbers. “There will be plenty of talent on display on Saturday night,” Hayne remarked. “You don’t often see this level of talent in Fiji, so I encourage everyone to come down, experience the atmosphere, and understand what rugby league is all about. I hope to see many young Fijians join the Bati in the future.”
Reflecting on the team’s progress over the years, Hayne noted, “It’s been a long journey, almost 16 or 17 years, from where we started in the army barracks to now being in five-star hotels; we’ve come a long way.”
Hayne was released from prison in June after successfully appealing a sexual assault conviction.