Former National Rugby League (NRL) player Jarryd Hayne is assisting the Vodafone Fiji Bati team as they prepare for their upcoming Pacific Bowl Championship matches. The Bati will kick off the tournament against the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls on Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Hayne, who has won the Dally M Medal twice, is contributing to the team’s offensive strategies. The Australian-born, Cikobia, Macuata native expressed his appreciation for the NRL for organizing this championship in the region, highlighting the representation of Pacific island players in the league.
He emphasized the importance of the Bati players reconnecting with their families and cultural roots. “It’s been a long time coming for something like this to happen,” Hayne remarked. He noted that the awareness of Aboriginal culture in Australia is growing, which makes it even more significant for the Fijian players to engage with their heritage and enjoy a team environment.
While the Bati boasts several NRL players, Hayne acknowledged the toughness of the Kumuls, who are the reigning champions of the Pacific Bowl Championship. He stated, “PNG is probably the country in the world who doesn’t matter who they pick; you just know they’re going to be tough.” He described the PNG team as passionate and emphasized the physicality they bring to the game.
Hayne encouraged rugby league fans and families to attend the matches in support of the home team. “It should be plenty of talent on display on Saturday night,” he said. “You don’t get to see this much talent in Fiji very often, so I encourage everyone to come down, be part of us – experience the atmosphere and what rugby league is about, and hopefully one day we see a lot of young Fijians coming into the Bati.”
Reflecting on the progress the rugby league has made over the years, Hayne noted the journey from humble beginnings to now being in five-star accommodations.
Hayne was released from prison in June after successfully appealing a sexual assault conviction.