Former NRL player Jarryd Hayne is making a return to rugby league after a six-year hiatus, taking on a role with the Vodafone Fiji Bati. The 36-year-old has been selected to be part of the team for the upcoming Pacific Championship, just four months after his rape conviction was overturned, resulting in his release from prison.
Hayne, who represented Fiji with passion from 2008 to 2018, will serve as a mentor for the team. He was warmly welcomed into the training camp on Monday. Reflecting on this new opportunity, 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 to check on his well-being and extended an invitation for him to join the team. Kativerata explained to the Sydney Morning Herald, “I wanted to check in and see how he was doing.” He added, “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 mentioned that initially, Hayne thought the invitation was a joke, but the conversation quickly evolved into a serious opportunity for both Hayne and the team. The NRL has officially approved Hayne’s involvement with the Fijian squad.