It was the career-changing experience he needed some nine years ago and in 2017, Jarryd Hayne will once against line up for the Fiji Bati in the Rugby League World Cup.
The 2008 season was considered a poor one by Hayne's lofty standards, who scored just six tries for the Eels and was overlooked for his incumbent Kangaroos place for the end-of-season World Cup held in Australia. Qualifying for Fiji via his father's heritage, Hayne opted to represent the Bati and has long credited it for a form reversal which saw him take out the Dally M Player of the Year in 2009.
Since a return from rugby sevens - a code in which he also represented Fiji - last season, Hayne has displayed patches of brilliance without recapturing the form he enjoyed before leaving Rugby League in 2014. On the eve of the 2017 World Cup, the incumbent NSW VB Blues centre will once again represent the Pacific nation.
Fiji's squad boasts a host of NRL talent, also including Suliasi Vunivalu, Kane Evans, Apisai Koroisau, Marcelo Montoya, Kevin Naiqama and former VB Blues winger Aquila Uate, with Naiqama to captain the side. Their World Cup campaign will commence on Saturday, 28 October against the USA at Townsville Stadium.
The Fiji World Cup squad is as follows:
Kane Evans - Sydney Roosters
Salesi Faingaa - Parramatta Eels
Jarryd Hayne - Gold Coast Titans
Tui Kamikamica - Melbourne Storm/ SC Falcons
Villiame Kikau - Penrith Panthers
Apisai Koroisau - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Joe Lovadua - St George-Illawarra Dragons
Henry Raiwalui - Mounties RLFC
Taane Milne - St George-Illawarra Dragons/ Illawarra RLFC
Sitiveni Moceidreke - South Sydney Rabbitohs/ North Sydney Bears
Marcelo Montoya - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Kevin Naiqama (c) - Wests Tigers
Ben Nakubuwai - Gold Coast Titans/ Tweed Heads Seagulls
Mikaele Ravalawa - Canberra Raiders
Junior Roqica - London Broncos
Jacob Saifiti - Newcastle Knights
Ashton Sims - Warrington Wolves
Korbin Sims - Brisbane Broncos
Pio Seci - Nabua Broncos
James Storer - Port Kembla Blacks
Akuila Uate - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Eloni Vunakece - Sydney Roosters/ Wyong Roos
Suliasi Vunivalu - Melbourne Storm
Brayden Wiliame - Catalans Dragons
Standby Replacement:
Etuate Bola - Nabua Broncos
