JARRYD Haynes Olympic dream has received a major boost just hours before he enters the training camp that will determine whether he competes in Rio.
Hayne is scheduled to depart Sydney on Sunday to join the extended Fijian Sevens squad at the Uprising Beach Resort outside of Suva.
At the conclusion of the camp, coach Ben Ryan will reduce his squad from 23 to the final 12 who are favoured to win Fijis first ever Olympic medal in Rio.
Hayne played a bit-part role in his only Sevens tournament at Twickenham last month and has been widely touted as an outside chance of forcing his way into Fijis world champion squad.
But, in a huge endorsement, Fijis captain Osea Kolinisau said he would support his inclusion in his nations Olympic squad despite Hayne deciding only last month to quit the San Francisco 49ers to chase gold in Rio.
Jarryd is a good footy player he has a lot of potential so we will see in the six weeks when we go to camp, Kolinisau told the Fiji Sun. And if Jarryd does what we know hes capable of then we wouldnt mind having him in the team.
He added: Its going to be a really tough camp. Twenty four players, 12 spots and everybody wants to go so whos going to be the best of the best in camp will go. This is going to be a very tough camp but a very good one for Fiji because this is where they will decide the best 12 to Rio.
Haynes defection to rugby union has been criticised in some quarters given that, if successful, he would effectively be taking the spot of a long-standing squad member for what promises to be an historic Olympic Games for the Fijians.
Speaking on Foxtels Rugby 360 program the pair had some stern words about Haynes move to the rugby sevens format.
Theres no doubt hes a quality athlete, Queensland Reds prop Ben Daley told Rugby 360 on Fox Sports.
But to tell you the truth I think its probably a little bit selfish to think hell make the Fiji team.
If I was one of those Fijian players and he just put his hand up and said Im going to come in and make the Olympic team Id be pretty filthy as a player after spending years and years getting to that point.
Hayne remains focused on winning a place on Fijis Olympic squad, however the former Parramatta Eels star has also been privately considering his options beyond Sevens rugby.
As revealed by NRL Tonight on Fox Sports last Friday, Hayne trained with Parramattas reserves last week and has been linked with a return to his old club.
He has also attracted interest from at least six other NRL teams and has reportedly fielded offers from Japanese and French rugby union.
But those offers can wait.
As Kolinisau pointed out, qualifying for this particular Fiji Sevens squad carries a responsibility unlike any other before it.
This gold medal in Rio, it means a lot to the team but we know it means more to the nation, he told the Sun. Ive been reminding the boys that we are not only going as the Fiji Sevens team but as the nations team because the nation only wants a gold medal in Rio.
So the boys know the pressure is on. The boys have come through pressure throughout the series. Thats one positive thing about the series and we are looking forward to winning Fijis first gold medal in Rio.
