Former NRL player Jarryd Hayne has made a return to rugby league after six years, taking on a mentoring role with the Vodafone Fiji Bati team. The 36-year-old joins 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, was welcomed into the team’s training camp this week. He expressed his excitement about the opportunity, recalling how much the team has evolved over the years, stating, “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 after his release, expressing his concern for Hayne’s well-being before inviting him to join the team. “I wanted to check in and see how he was doing,” Kativerata told the Sydney Morning Herald. He noted that Hayne was pleased to hear from the team and felt it was significant for him to be involved in rugby league given the current situation in Fiji.
Kativerata mentioned that Hayne initially thought his invitation was a joke, but the conversation soon became serious, presenting an opportunity for both Hayne and the team. The NRL has officially approved Hayne’s involvement with the Fijian squad.