Jarryd Hayne has reentered the rugby league scene by taking on a mentoring position with the Vodafone Fiji Bati ahead of the Pacific Championship. Reports from News Corp and The Sydney Morning Herald indicate that Hayne will collaborate with players such as Michael Jennings, Sunia Turuva, Viliame Kikau, and Maika Sivo.
Having arrived in Fiji, Hayne was seen at a training session in Suva’s Albert Park on Monday. Although he has decided not to return to playing, he is stepping into a mentorship role after previously representing Fiji at the international level. This marks Hayne’s first involvement with the NRL since 2018.
Fiji’s coach Wise Kativerata, who played for the Bati with Hayne’s father Manoa Thompson, shared that he reached out to Hayne after his release from prison to check on him. The two-time Dally M Medal winner had spent nearly two years incarcerated before being released in June following an appeal against a rape conviction.
“I called him just to see how he was doing,” Kativerata explained. “I wanted to make sure he was okay. He was pleased to hear from us. Eventually, I told him about the rugby league scene in Fiji and how it could use some revitalization. Then I invited him to come and support the team, believing it would be good for both him and us.”
Initially, Hayne thought Kativerata was joking, but Kativerata emphasized Hayne’s remarkable achievements in rugby league and his Fijian heritage, making him a valuable addition to the team. Hayne is reportedly enjoying his involvement.
Kativerata also noted that many players on the Fiji team look up to Hayne for his remarkable skills, having played 214 NRL games and represented the Bati in 10 Tests. Fiji is set to compete against Papua New Guinea on Saturday night.