Hayne fits into Fiji game plan

RUGBY LEAGUE: A “humble” and “excited” Jarryd Hayne has put his hand up to play five-eighth for Fiji at the World Cup.

Ahead of a warm-up match in Suva on Saturday against Australia and Papua New Guinea, Fiji coach Mick Potter has opened up about Hayne’s “devotion” to the squad after his troubled year at the Gold Coast.

When Hayne last played for Fiji at the 2008 World Cup it proved the inspiration behind his stellar 2009 season with Parramatta.

Nine years down the track, Potter believes the signs are positive that the now 29-year-old is ready to stamp his mark on this tournament.

“This could be very good for him,” Potter said. “Jarryd is excited.

“He has done everything that has been asked of him.

“He is training very hard and when we are off the field it is very relaxed. He is into it.

“He is just like part of the furniture in respect to his devotion and working with the team and the culture,” Potter added.

“He enjoys doing it.

“He is a leader but he is still very humble amongst all the other players.

“There is no carry on about him.

“He just gets on with his job on the field, off the field he just wants to be part of the squad.”

Potter said that was also the reason Hayne made the request to play in the halves for Fiji.

With the likes of Kevin Naiqama, Suliasi Vunivalu, Taane Milne, Marcelo Montoya, Akuila Uate and Brayden Wiliame giving the squad good depth in the outside backs, Potter said Hayne’s versatility would be a bonus.

“I don’t know if we had ESP but he probably brought it up (about playing in the halves) and I tended to agree,” Potter said.

“He thinks he can help the team out there and it is hard to argue with.

“Depending on the mix of players and how the games roll we just have to make sure we have that versatility so we can move players if required.”