Jarryd Hayne will make a surprise return to rugby league after his sexual assault convictions were overturned

Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne has been asked to make a surprise comeback – six years after he last stepped onto a football pitch at the highest level.

Fijian national coach and former NRL player Wise Kativerata hopes the 36-year-old will make a decision before the island nation takes part in the Pacific Bowl tournament in November.

The two-time Dally M Medal winner has not played a game since 2018 as he faced allegations of sexual assault.

Hayne was initially found guilty, but the charges were dropped on appeal in June and he left prison a free man.

The Fiji coach said the “door is open for him if he wants to join” after leading sprint coach Roger Fabri allayed his fitness concerns.

“He (Hayne) is fit but we are just waiting for his decision if he is interested. That would be a boost for the team,” Kativerata told the Daily Telegraph.

Fabri described Hayne as an “elite athlete” who could never be ignored when he “set his mind on something.”

“If Jarryd puts in the effort, he will never get off track. He has proven that time and time again. He has done the unthinkable and made the NFL roster,” he said.

Fiji will play against Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands in Tests to be played in Fiji and Port Moresby.

The final will be played on November 10 at Commbank Stadium in Sydney.

But even if Hayne agrees to play, the deal is not guaranteed.

The Australian Rugby League Commission still has to approve the deal, even though Hayne is not a contracted player.

The issue will be discussed if Hayne is selected.

Hayne, the son of a Fijian father, is a dual citizen and scored five tries in ten games for Fiji at the 2008 and 2017 World Cups.

Haynes' career ended in 2018 after allegations of sexual assault were made against him and he was jailed for two years before being released on appeal.

He represented Australia at the 2013 World Cup, scoring three goals and assisting twice in a 64-0 win over Fiji.

Australia won the final against New Zealand, with Hayne setting up two more tries and being named Man of the Team along with Johnathon Thurston.

His career ended after the end of the 2018 NRL season when Parramatta did not offer him a contract following allegations of sexual assault.

However, Hayne was honoured the following year after a panel of Premier League coaches and Hall of Fame players voted him into the 2010s Team of the Decade.