Former Vodafone Fiji Bati fullback Jarryd Hayne has admitted that he was ready to play for the Fiji Bati before Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens called him.
Hayne said that up until two or three months ago he thought he was playing for Fiji and Sheens called him saying that there was a possibility he could be playing for Australia.
The 25 year old credits the experience with Fiji Bati at the 2008 World Cup for turning his career around and had again committed to play for Fiji.
After the Kangaroos thumped USA in the quarter finals, observers of the Australian camp believed Hayne might have wished he was playing for Fiji.
The Parramatta Eels star has also praised Bati coach Rick Stone for taking Fiji to a second consecutive World Cup semi final.
Hayne will be starting at center with Brent Tate while Greg Inglis replaces injured Billy Slater at fullback.
Other players include captain Cameron Smith, vice captain Paul Gallen, Greg Bird, Darius Boyd, Daly Cherry Evans, Cooper Cronk, Robbie Farah, Andrew Fifita, Nate Myles, Josh Pa-palii, Corey Parker, Matthew Scott, James Tamou, Sam Thaiday and Jonathan Thurston.
The Vodafone Fiji Bati will take on the Kangaroos at 4.30am this Sunday. New Zealand meets England in the first semi final at 2am Sunday.
Story by: Rusiate Baleilevuka
