Multiple ex-NRL stars have found themselves playing Country Rugby League in recent years but a Group 6 team has been rejected by a former marquee player.

At his peak Jarryd Hayne was arguably the best Rugby League player on the planet, being named the Dally M Player of the Year in both 2009 and 2014 alongside Johnathan Thurston and playing a key role in New South Wales’ 2014 State of Origin series win, the Blues first in nine years.

He is also a three-time Brad Fittler Medallist and a Dally M Representative Player of the Year but what Hayne will not be is a South West Goanna.

The on-field career of Jarryd Hayne was cut short due to an off-field situation where sexual assault allegations were made against him.

While the case is still ongoing the former Parramatta Eels fullback was asked to play for the South West Goannas alongside club captain and Tony “T-Rex” Williams who is a former Australian and Tongan International.

Goannas president Mark Baird recently spoke to The Daily Telegraph’s Phil “Buzz” Rothfield about the club’s pursuit of Hayne.

“Jarryd was thinking about it,” said Baird.

“He would have been a fantastic drawcard and put back into community rugby league.

Jarryd Hayne's comeback offerhttps://t.co/zJy8PjZ7fc

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) February 18, 2023

“T Rex had a discussion with him about playing even just five games.

“It didn’t work out.

“Maybe he’s a bit out of shape.

“Maybe financially, it was going to be out of our league.”

While this may be disappointing news to some at 35 years old Hayne could make a comeback to Rugby League at some level within the coming seasons and the Goannas will be hoping that they have first dibs on him.

If Hayne does eventually join the Goannas he will be joining the list of former NRL stars to have played in the Group 6 competition which not only includes Tony Williams as in recent seasons the likes of Curtis Scott and Blake Ferguson have both joined the league, giving back to the Country Rugby League community.

Hayne was spotted earlier this week participating in a different sporting code as he played basketball in Auburn.