Hayne began his career in 2006 as a er for the Parramatta Eels, winning the NRL's Dally M Rookie of the Year award. The following year, he made his debut for New South Wales in State of Origin and internationally, and began playing primarily as a . Hayne won the Dally M Medal in 2009 and 2014 as the league's player of the year, and the Rugby League International Federation's International Player of the Year award in 2009. He represented Australia at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, and his father's native at the 2008 and 2017 tournaments when not selected for Australia.