Hayne ‘lost his way’ in Henry saga

JARRYD Hayne says he will use his time with Fiji to rediscover himself after declaring he had “lost his way” following a tumultuous end of the NRL season with the Gold Coast.

Hayne’s fallout with former coach Neil Henry rather than the star’s on-field performances dominated headlines in the final months of the season. Henry was eventually sacked following the highly publicised souring of their relationship.

Just like Fiji had given him a spiritual discovery when he first turned out for them in the 2008 World Cup, Hayne is hoping that his on-field performances this year will allow him to rediscover his best form.

“I always enjoyed my footy,” Hayne said in Fiji.

“The back end of the year is definitely tough and I lost my way a little bit.

“It’s disappointing how I finished the season. It’s very refreshing to come back in here.

“In a sense you could probably say that (this will help me find myself). It’s been great so far and I’m looking forward to the week.”

Hayne will turn out for Fiji against Australia today despite starring for the Kangaroos in the 2013 World Cup.

He said even if he was picked for Australia he would have chosen to play for Fiji.

“It’s been a great week and the boys are definitely excited,” Hayne said.

“It’s going to be such a historic day for Fiji rugby league.

“(I want) the guys around me to pick up and learn.

“We built something special in ‘08. Now is leaps and bounds advances to what we had in 08, and that’s down to everyone that’s been supporting Fiji, the local guys that are putting in.

“We’ve got about four or five local guys that are in camp this week, just trying to help out and breed the next generation.”

Hayne will start in the No. 6 jersey. Fiji coach Mick Potter said he wanted Hayne to touch the ball as much as possible.

“From my dealings with him here he has been fantastic,” Potter said.

“He is a team player and he trains hard.

“He gets the team around the park.”