10 Reasons why Jarryd Hayne should play for Fiji at the Rio Olympics
The Hayne Plane is back in the skies as headlines go wild at his decision to play for Fiji at the Rio Olympics 2016.
The media has gone crazy with headline after headline about the devastation at Jarryd Haynes decision to represent Fiji at the Olympics in Rio later this year. Some headlines have suggested 'He should play for Australia, he's Australian'. Some have been quite straightforward like Jai Bednall whose headline reads 'Jarryd Hayne's Olympic dream is a joke'
This piece is a celebration of Jarryd Hayne and his brave decision to represent one of the two countires he identifies with. He has proudly represented Fiji in Rugby League and also donned the Green and Gold jersey for the Kangaroos. This time he is pledging his allegiance to Fiji for a shot at Gold at the Rio Olympics! Is that so bad? We don't think so, he is part Fijian?!
Here's what has gone on in the last few days in a nutshell:
- Jarryd Hayne announces retirement from the NFL. After playing 8 games for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2015-16 season.
- Hayne announces his Olympic dream (to play in the Fiji Rugby 7's squad)
- Hayne received his Fijian passport on Friday 13th May
- World Rugby has confirmed the former Eels superstar will not be barred from Rio contention by drug testing rules.
- The 28-year-old said, his allegiance was to both Australia and Fiji.
Here are the 10 Reasons Why We Think Jarryd Hayne Should (and probs will) play for Fiji at the Rio Olympics:
1. Jarryd Hayne's father is Fijian. Manoa Thompson also represented Fiji in Rugby League.
2. He has a Fijian passport?! Yes. He has a Fijian passport...
3. His famous try celebration the 'Hayne Plane' is inspired by the plane he flew in on his first trip to Fiji! He's a READY MADE FLYING FIJIAN!!!
4. Hayne represented Fiji in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
5. Remember the time he was on 'Fresh'.The coolest Freshies are on Fresh... Check it out here
6. Hayne has worn traditional Fijian attire before, and he wore it well...
7. He has been to Fiji before. Because his 'bubu' grandmother is there. Because she's Fijian and he's Fijian.
8. He’s friends with Petero Civoniceva who is also Fijian. He Consulted with fellow Fijian Petero Civoniceva about joining the Fiji 7’s squad
9. Ben Ryan and his Fiji Rugby 7’s team already gave Jarryd a jersey, kinda cute right?
10. He chose to play for Fiji, when he could've chosen Australia-he still chose Fiji.
