World Rugby approves Jarryd Hayne's switch to 7s from NFL

Published May. 16, 2016 5:56 p.m. ET

foxsports

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) World Rugby says former San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne is eligible to play for the Fiji sevens team at the Olympics and as early as the world series event in London this weekend.

Hayne, who played eight times with one start for the 49ers as a rookie last year, announced on Sunday he was quitting the NFL.

The 28-year-old former rugby league star said he was joining Fiji in the hope of making its squad for the Rio de Janiero Games. Hayne qualifies for Fiji through his Fijian father, and has played international rugby league for the Pacific nation.

But questions have been raised over his eligibility because he has not recently been part of a registered drug-testing program.