Former NRL player Jarryd Hayne is returning to rugby league for the first time in six years after accepting a position with the Vodafone Fiji Bati. The 36-year-old has secured a place on the team for the upcoming Pacific Championship, shortly after his rape conviction was overturned, leading to his release from prison.
Hayne, who proudly represented Fiji from 2008 to 2018, will serve as a mentor for the squad and received a warm welcome when he joined the training camp on Monday. Speaking about his new role, Hayne stated, “It’s a great opportunity. On my way to the airport, I watched a documentary about the ’08 Rugby League World Cup team, and it struck me how far we’ve come over the past 16 to 17 years. From humble beginnings to now enjoying five-star accommodation, it’s always nice to reminisce about the journey we’ve taken together.”
Bati Coach Wise Kativerata reached out to Hayne after his release, expressing concern for his well-being before inviting him to join the team. “I wanted to check in and see how he was doing,” Kativerata explained. “When we spoke, I noticed he was pleased to hear from us and felt it was important for him to be involved with the team given the current landscape of rugby league in Fiji.”
Kativerata also mentioned, “Initially, Jarryd thought I was joking when I invited him to join us, but the conversation quickly transformed into a serious opportunity for both him and the team.” The NRL has officially approved Hayne’s involvement with the Fijian squad.