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JARRYD Hayne went to the last World Cup thinking he would do Fiji a favour by playing for them – five years on the now Kangaroo credits that time in his life for making him the man he is today.
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The Parramatta superstar admits it is going to be one of the most emotional challenges of his career when he runs out for Australia next Saturday in his first appearance at this World Cup against Fiji.
Prior to that 2008 tournament, Hayne was already one of the most talented young stars in the NRL, but it was issues off the field that were threatening to derail his career.
But by the time the tournament was over he was on his way to superstardom and, more importantly, his life had finally found meaning.
"Fiji changed my life," Hayne said.
"This is something that I have been thinking about for a long time.
"It will be one of the toughest games I will ever play from an emotional point of view, knowing how much an experience it was last time.
"With God and church, for me, that is how it all started.
"It was an amazing tour for me. I went away thinking I was going to help them, but the team impacted me and gave me something I will remember forever."
Hayne's spectacular performances for Fiji made him just about the story of the last World Cup as the Fijians shocked the rugby league world on their way to a semi-final showdown against Australia.
They ended up losing that game but the following year Hayne produced arguably the greatest individual season ever played as he carried Parramatta to the grand final and collected the Dally M Medal along the way.
And he was preparing to play for Fiji again this year before he received a surprise call-up from the Kangaroos after a season marred by injury.
Hayne put in a phenomenal performance for NSW this year in the State of Origin opener but days later suffered a hamstring injury against the Roosters and he never recovered, playing just three games for the rest of the season.
He said he hardly gave himself a hope of being picked to play for Australia but now that he's here his mission is to fight his way into the Kangaroos' top team ahead of first-choice centre Brent Tait. "Obviously not playing this week is disappointing but I think personally it might help me getting another week under my belt training," Hayne said.
Take it as read Hayne was right in contention for Australia's vacant right centre spot for last night's showdown with England but missed out to Brent Tate.
Hayne will now get his chance to shine next Saturday and from there the race will really be on.
"It is a long tournament," he said.
And he said playing right centre would not be a new experience.
"I played Origin on the left but right centre is probably my preferred spot in the centres," he said.
"That is where I played growing up and that is where my dad played as well, he was a right centre.
"So it is something I'm familiar with.
"I think one of the things that took my focus off the injury this year was knowing there was going to be a tour at the end of the year, whether it was for Australia or Fiji, and knowing that if I could get the body right I would be on it.
"It has definitely been something I have based my year around from Origin to this."
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