A week of heavy speculation surrounding his future that could have brought him down has not grounded the Hayne
Instead, after an incredible performance against the United States of America last week, Hayne soared to greater heights tonight, playing a huge role in dismantling Wales to pick up Fiji’s second heavy victory of the tournament.
In doing so, he broke the record to become the outright leading try-scorer in Rugby League World Cup history, scoring his 14th just 90 seconds into the second half to surpass Bob Fulton and Billy Slater.
While he didn’t score in the first half, he was heavily involved to blow Wales off the park with three try-assists, posing an enormous threat with the ball in hand.
He supported Salesi Faingaa to make a marvellous run before offloading to his halves partner, Henry Raiwalui, to score under the posts.
Hayne combined with Faingaa once more with a grubber that the big forward won the race too, before throwing a pinpoint perfect bullet-pass for Taane Milne to stroll over untouched.
Former NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley was full of praise for the Fijian superstar.
“Jarryd Hayne he’s just got the ability to read numbers,” Daley said on the Channel 7 broadcast of the Rugby League World Cup.
“Every time he goes down the short side he’s just picking them off.”
While Hayne starred, the Fijians were full of individuals that stood up to put forward a massive team-performance.
Suliasi Vunivalu scored a hat-trick, while players such as Eloni Vunakece, Taane Milne, Viliame Kikau and Akuila Uate were all superb.
