Parramatta Eels Semi Radradra throws support behind former NRL star Jarryd Hayne over his Olympic bid

  • Jarryd Hayne is currently making a bid to play at the Olympic Games
  • He has been named in the Fiji squad for the HSBC Sevens World Series
  • Hayne was selected by coach Ben Ryan after quitting San Francisco 49ers
  • Former Fiji rugby sevens star Semi Radradra: 'Haynesy suits any game'

Former Fiji rugby sevens star Semi Radradra has become the latest player to back Jarryd Hayne's bid for Olympic gold after he dramatically quit the San Francisco 49ers NFL team.

Radradra is one of the rare league players with links to the shortened version of rugby, having been recruited by the Eels after turning out for his native Fiji national team in 2013, but says he has no plans of switching back himself.

The 23-year-old has joined a bulging legion of Hayne fans to throw their support behind the former Eels' remarkable sevens switch, hopeful Hayne could bring a different dimension to the gold medal favourites. 

It comes as Hayne was named on Friday in the 12-man Fiji squad for the HSBC Sevens World Series tournament in London, a prime chance to prove himself for his Olympic bid. 

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Semi Radradra (right) has become the latest player to back Jarryd Hayne's  bid for Olympic gold

Semi Radradra (right) has become the latest player to back Jarryd Hayne's bid for Olympic gold

Hayne was named on Friday in the 12-man Fiji squad for the HSBC Sevens World Series tournament in London

Hayne was named on Friday in the 12-man Fiji squad for the HSBC Sevens World Series tournament in London

'To have him in the team, the boys will be happy. Hopefully he brings something new. It's going to be tough for him, but I know Haynesy, he loves the game and hopefully he gets picked,' Radradra said.

'Fiji sevens is very hard, everyone wants to play. But if there's a spot for him, they'll like him.' 

Hayne was selected by coach Ben Ryan despite only making himself available last weekend after dramatically quitting the San Francisco 49ers NFL team  

Radradra, who played alongside Hayne for two years after arriving at the club in 2013, had no hesitation his former teammate would transition easily to the game. 

'Haynesy suits any game. He's played rugby league, went to NFL and wants to play sevens. It doesn't matter. He'll play and he's a good talented kid,' he said.

And while Hayne will look to succeed in his third sporting code in as many years, Radradra wouldn't be drawn on whether he too would like a shot at Olympic glory.

Radrada has joined a bulging legion of Hayne fans to throw their support behind the former Eels' remarkable sevens switch

Radrada has joined a bulging legion of Hayne fans to throw their support behind the former Eels' remarkable sevens switch

Hayne was last weekend dramatically quitting the San Francisco 49ers NFL team

Hayne was last weekend dramatically quitting the San Francisco 49ers NFL team

The Kangaroos representative and two-time Dally M Winger of the Year insisted he would see out the remaining two seasons of his contract before taking a look at his options.

He also said playing for Australia in the Four Nations tournament at the end of the year was a goal.

'I love to play at Parra, but time will tell. At the moment, I'm pretty happy at Parra,' he said.

'I haven't decided where I want to go after that year. I'll look at that later. I haven't decided about switching back to rugby union.'

 

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