Jarryd Hayne has returned to the rugby league scene, taking on a mentoring position with the Vodafone Fiji Bati’s camp in preparation for the upcoming Pacific Championship. According to reports from News Corp and The Sydney Morning Herald, Hayne will closely collaborate with players such as Michael Jennings, Sunia Turuva, Viliame Kikau, and Maika Sivo.
Having arrived in Fiji, he was seen participating in training at Albert Park in Suva on Monday. While Hayne has ruled out any return to playing, he is committed to mentoring the team, drawing from his experience as a former international player representing Fiji.
This involvement marks Hayne’s first in the NRL since 2018. Fiji’s coach, Wise Kativerata, reached out to Hayne to check on his well-being after his release from prison. The two share history, having played together, as Kativerata played alongside Hayne’s father, Manoa Thompson.
Hayne, who spent nearly two years in prison before his conviction was overturned in June, appreciated the call from Kativerata. “I wanted to make sure he was okay. He was happy to hear from us,” Kativerata shared. He further noted that Hayne’s extensive experience in rugby league, having played 214 NRL games and represented Fiji in 10 Tests, makes him an inspirational figure for the players who admire his skills.
Fiji is set to compete against Papua New Guinea on Saturday night.