Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne has been offered a surprise pathway back into rugby league despite the fact that the 36-year-old has not played professionally since 2018.
The dual-international and two-time Dally M Player of the Year has had his career shrouded in controversy following his conviction for aggravated sexual assault and inflicting actual bodily harm.
Those charges were levelled against him at the end of the 2018 season, from which point onwards he has not played rugby league, with the ex-Parramatta Eels man sentenced for almost six years in 2021.
The case was retrialled and in 2023 he was sentenced to four years and nine months before successfully appealing the conviction in June this year. His release came after he served two years in prison and prosecutors confirmed that they would not bring charges once again.
It’s left talk of a rugby league comeback on the table and now that talk has turned to an actual offer with the possibility that he could play this year.
Jarryd Hayne offered rugby league return
Credit: David Neilson/SWpix.com/PhotosportNZ
According to reports down under, Hayne has been approached and “sounded out” about returning to rugby league in the form of representing Fiji on the international stage.
That’s per The Daily Telegraph who report that the former Australian and Fiji international has been approached by Fijian head coach Wise Kativerata about the prospect of playing in the end-of-season Pacific Championships.
Fiji will take on Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands and it seems that Hayne has a chance of featuring with Kativerata confirming that the ‘door is open’.
He explained: “The door is open for him if he wants to join. He is fit but we are just waiting on his decision if he is interested, which will be a boost for the team.”
Despite the game being played in the international sphere, he would still need ARL Commission approval to play but with his conviction overturned it seemingly would not be an issue.
If Hayne is selected, he could play alongside Super League players such as Jason Qareqare who starred for the Bati in last year’s Pacific Championships.
