Jarryd Hayne, the 2014 Dally M winner, may make a return to the Fiji Bati team after a five-year absence. Fiji Bati head coach Wise Kativerata hinted at this possibility in a recent interview. “The door is open for him if he wants to join,” Kativerata stated. “He (Hayne) is fit, but we are just waiting on his decision if he is interested, which would also be a boost for the team.”
The announcement of the Bati squad for the Pacific Championships has been postponed to next week, as team management is still coordinating player releases from their respective NRL clubs.
Hayne started his career in 2006 as a winger for the Parramatta Eels, where he was awarded the Dally M Rookie of the Year. The following year, he debuted for New South Wales in State of Origin and represented Australia internationally, transitioning mainly to fullback. He won the Dally M Medal twice, in 2009 and 2014, as the top player in rugby league and was named the Rugby League International Federation’s International Player of the Year in 2009.
During his career, Hayne played for Australia in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and represented Fiji in the 2008 and 2017 tournaments when not selected for Australia. In 2015, he switched to the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers but returned to the NRL, playing for the Gold Coast Titans and Parramatta in 2018. He notably led the Fiji Bati to a historic upset over New Zealand during the 2017 World Cup.
Recently, Hayne walked free from court after the withdrawal of rape charges against him and won an appeal against prior convictions. He has consistently denied the allegations, claiming the encounter was consensual.
Kativerata also mentioned that discussions are ongoing with other NRL players interested in representing Fiji, including Mark Nawaqanitawase, Tui Kamikamica, and Api Koroisau. Explosive forward Viliame Kikau is expected to join the squad as well.
The coach emphasized the importance of incorporating local-based players from the Vodafone Cup for national representation. “Last year, we introduced young talent like Kitione Kautoga and Caleb Navale. Our mission is to ensure Fijian players make their debut and step up to the challenge,” he noted.
The team’s goal this year is to secure victory while preparing for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Australia. Kativerata praised Tui Kamikamica as a key leader and role model for the squad. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Papua New Guinea, regarding them as a formidable opponent, and committed to equipping his team with the necessary strategies and player combinations for success.