Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne has made his return to rugby league after a six-year absence by joining the Vodafone Fiji Bati team. The 36-year-old has been included in the squad for the upcoming Pacific Championship, just four months after his rape conviction was overturned, resulting in his release from prison.
Hayne, who proudly represented Fiji from 2008 to 2018, will serve as a mentor for the team, having received a warm welcome at the training camp on Monday. In discussing his new role, Hayne said, “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 following his release to check on his well-being and extended an invitation to him to join the team. “I wanted to check in and see how he was doing,” Kativerata told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“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 remarked that initially, Hayne thought he was joking when he was invited, but the conversation quickly shifted to a serious opportunity for both Hayne and the team.
The NRL has officially approved Hayne’s involvement with the Fijian squad.