Jarryd Hayne, the 2014 Dally M award winner, may make a return to the Fiji Bati team after a five-year absence. Fiji Bati head coach Wise Kativerata suggested that the door remains open for Hayne during a recent interview.
“The door is open for him if he wants to join,” Kativerata stated. “He is fit, and we are just waiting for his decision. His involvement would also provide a boost for the team.”
The announcement regarding the squad for the Pacific Championships has been postponed until next week, as the team management is still coordinating with players’ NRL clubs for their release.
Hayne began his career in 2006 with the Parramatta Eels as a winger and was awarded the NRL’s Dally M Rookie of the Year. He made his State of Origin and international debut for New South Wales and Australia the following year, transitioning to fullback thereafter. He won the Dally M Medal twice, in 2009 and 2014, and received the Rugby League International Federation’s International Player of the Year award in 2009.
He represented Australia at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and played for Fiji at the 2008 and 2017 tournaments when not selected for the Australian team. Hayne attracted media attention in 2015 when he switched from league to join the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL, ending his professional football career after one season. He later played Fiji 7s in rugby union sevens in 2016, but following his non-selection for the Olympic squad that year, he returned to the NRL to play for the Gold Coast Titans and finished his NRL career with Parramatta in 2018.
Hayne led Fiji Bati to a surprising 4-2 victory over New Zealand during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. In June, he was acquitted after charges of rape against him were dropped, and he won an appeal against his previous convictions earlier this month. He has faced the same alleged assault trial three times, with the first ending in a hung jury and the second’s guilty verdict overturned on appeal. Hayne has consistently claimed that any encounter was consensual.
Kativerata mentioned that discussions have taken place with other NRL players interested in representing Fiji, including Mark Nawaqanitawase, Tui Kamikamica, and Api Koroisau. Explosive forward Viliame Kikau is also expected to be selected. Additionally, there will be an effort to bring in local players from the Vodafone Cup to experience national football.
Kativerata noted that the team is focused on integrating young talent, citing last year’s inclusion of players like Kitione Kautoga and Caleb Navale. The primary goal for this year is to secure victories while building towards the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Australia. He also emphasized the importance of having strong leadership from Tui Kamikamica, praising him as a role model and a great asset for the Pacific Nations Cup matches.
The coach acknowledged the challenge of competing against Papua New Guinea, a formidable opponent, and reaffirmed his commitment to preparing the team with the right combinations and strategies for success.