- Was released from prison in June, 2024
- Had aimed to return at rugby league tournament
- Has been forced to delay his return to footy
Fallen NRL star Jarryd Hayne was a no-show at his much-hyped rugby league return match on Saturday, but the Hayne Plane is still set for take off again this weekend.
Hayne signed with United SC for the Premier Nines competition on the Gold Coast this weekend, a tournament choc full of retired NRL players that is growing every year.
But he was nowhere to be seen as United overcame a 20-0 deficit to beat the North Coast Marlins by two points in their opening match on Saturday morning.
Fans hoping to see Hayne in action will have to wait another day, though, with the former Parramatta and Gold Coast Titans star pulling up sore ahead of his Saturday debut.
He is hoping to make his playing debut on Sunday and has joined United’s coaching staff on Saturday instead.
‘I’m feeling all right but the hammy’s giving me a bit of grief at the moment,’ he said.
Jarryd Hayne was all smiles at the Premier Nines rugby league carnival, sharing a hug with former NRL star Greg Bird
Hayne was one of the most electrifying players in the NRL during his career in first grade
Hayne is making a low key return to rugby league, starting with United SC at the Premier Nines
‘It’s a bit crook at the moment. I’ve only got a day in me before it gets a bit sore again.
‘We’ll see how we go.’
Hayne was first accused of sexually assaulting a woman on the night of the 2018 NRL Grand Final at her Newcastle home.
His first trial ended in a hung jury, but he was convicted in his second trial and sentenced to five years and nine months in prison in May 2021.
Hayne’s conviction was quashed on appeal in February 2022, and after a third trial in 2023, he was again convicted and sentenced to four years and nine months.
On June 12, 2024, the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal overturned his convictions due to trial errors, granting him bail under strict conditions.
Speaking to News Corp at the Premier Nines, he said there was one thing that had helped him remain strong during the saga.
‘God, mate, my faith,’ he said.
Hayne spoke to media about what got him through his protracted legal proceedings
Hayne worked with Fiji on the coaching staff during the recent Pacific Championships
‘It’s been a pleasure.’
After his release from prison in June 2024, following the quashing of his sexual assault convictions, Hayne rejoined rugby league by becoming a mentor for Fiji’s coaching staff during the Pacific Championships.
Fiji’s coach, Wise Kativerata, had previously expressed a desire for Hayne’s involvement, and the NRL approved his return to the sport.
Hayne spoke glowingly about his involvement with Fiji during the tournament.
‘The camaraderie is awesome,’ Hayne said.
‘Fiji was such a turning point for me, to go around there.
‘You don’t realise how much you miss it until you’re around that environment again.
‘That kind of tipped me up to get back into it and run around with the boys and have fun.’
Hayne praised the organisers for putting on the Premier Nines, giving retired footy players a chance to re-live their glory years.
‘You do get lost when you retire from the game,’ he said.
‘Everybody enjoys it. What Ant’s (Anthony Mitchell, Nines founder) done the last three years, it’s getting bigger and bigger.
‘It’s not just about the footy. It’s about the boys catching up, having a laugh and reminiscing about the old days.
‘I want to get my body right and play in the local league around Parra somewhere and enjoy the footy.’
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