Fiji Sevens coach Ben Ryan has dismissed suggestions former rugby league star Jarryd Hayne has missed out on the squad for this weekend's final World Series round in London.
Fiji sevens coach Ben Ryan. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Hayne quit the NFL earlier this week, announcing his intention to qualify for the Olympics with the Sevens' gold-medal favourites.
The 28-year-old has begun training with Fiji squad in London and Ryan says Australian media reports that Hayne had missed selection were untrue, as he doesn't name his 12-man squad until late tomorrow.
"We've only had a day training with Jarryd so it's a huge learning curve for him.
"He's throwing himself into it at the deep end and doing pretty well at the moment but the competition we have in this squad we're going to leave selection right until the last (moment)."
Ben Ryan is expected to make at least three changes for this weekend's World Series finale, with Leone Nakarawa and Josua Tuisova having returned to their clubs in Scotland and France, and Vatemo Ravouvou unlikely to be fit enough for selection.
Semi Kunatani is also unavailable, with Pio Tuwai, Masivesi Dakuwaqa and Viliame Mata all vying for a place alongside Hayne.
Fiji just need to reach the Cup quarter-finals at Twickenham to retain their World Series title.
Meanwhile Wallabies rugby union coach Michael Cheika won't be chasing Jarryd Hayne, but says he'll happily talk if the code hopper comes a knocking.
The former league star remains eligible to represent Australia as well as Fiji, where he qualifies through his father, former South Sydney and Manly ARL player Manoa Thompson.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika Photo: Photosport
Cheika isn't convinced Hayne necessarily wants to make a fulltime switch to rugby.
"He connected with the sevens team perhaps in Sydney, I think, (during a World Series round in February) and he's got that heritage," Cheika said on Fox Sports' Rugby 360 program.
"I knew his dad and he obviously identified with something in their spirit and in their culture and I see him singing with the boys and (enjoying) that spirituality.
"I saw Kane Evans in the rugby league did the same thing, made himself available for the sevens because he identified with that culture and it was good for him as a person.
"I think that's probably something he (Hayne) is feeling as well that no one's taken into account.
"Maybe that's what he wants to do, grow himself as a person, and take that option."
Even if Hayne is serious about a permanent move to the 15-a-side code, Cheika said the former Dally M Medallist would have to make the first move if he wanted to play in Australia.
"It will be a choice for him as to whether he goes to play rugby league or whether he wants to play rugby union," Cheika said.
"If he made the choice that he wanted to play rugby union, then of course we'd be looking to talk to him.
"But, at the end of the day, these are the decisions that individuals make. I think the days of going out chasing are over because it's too hard to do."
-AAP/RNZ
