Church once sounded like the last place someone would find controversial Parramatta flyer Jarryd Hayne.

Certainly Hayne did not come across as your typical Sunday School graduate after it emerged he had been shot at in the early hours in March following a booze-fuelled incident at Kings Cross.

No surprise then that the Eels star "rolled his eyes" when his Fijian team first began attending church twice a day as part of their Rugby League World Cup preparation.

But the 20-year-old quickly saw the light, and finally left behind those dark days in March.

The former NRL bad boy described the deeply religious Fijian experience as "one of the turning points of my life" after the Bati made World Cup history.

Fiji - 500-1 title shots at the start of the tournament - have bashed more than the bible to book a semi-final showdown with unbeaten Australia in Sydney on Sunday.

It's a game in which Fiji will need divine intervention to win - even though the match will be played on the Sabbath.

But Hayne is a true believer.

"This has probably been one of the turning points of my life," Hayne gushed.

"We do two church sessions a day, no one complains.

"At the start it was like `what, church again?'. We were rolling our eyes but now it is something we do - we have really taken it on."

He may be no angel but these days Hayne can do no wrong.

Hayne's Midas touch was on display again when he scored a crucial 66th minute try that helped seal Fiji's 30-14 win over Ireland in their Cup semi-final qualifier on the Gold Coast on Sunday night.

It guided Fiji to a Cup semi-final appearance that their national coach Joe Dakuitoga reckons will ensure league threatens rugby's overwhelming popularity in their homeland.

It has also guaranteed a $300,000 pay cheque for the Fijian team which features five park footballers and several fringe NRL players.

In keeping with his new outlook, cashed-up NRL star Hayne said he would consider sharing some of his Cup booty with his no name teammates.

Hayne is also on a mission to convert Australian selectors.

Hayne played one Test for Australia in 2007 - on Sunday he will line up against them.

Asked if he had something to prove to the Australians this weekend, Hayne replied: "One hundred per cent.

"Not being picked is one thing but it's sort of my season. This has probably been the turning point.

"There are no hard feelings but I want to show I'm still the player I was two years ago.

"It's going to be weird (playing Australia), but I can't wait to put on the Fijian jersey and make Fiji proud."

While he has not given up on playing for Australia again, Hayne will have a permanent memento of his Fijian stint - a tattoo.

"I always swore I would never get one unless it meant something. To have `Fiji Bati' inked into my body will be something special," he said.

Hayne may have plenty of faith in his lesser known teammates but when asked if Fiji could beat Australia, he said: "It is up to God, mate.

"We need Him more than ever. He's been with us the whole way - we are going to need him on Sunday."

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