JARRYD Hayne has been named in Fiji’s provisional 23-man Rugby Sevens squad for the Rio Olympics.

Hayne made an underwhelming debut in London last month in the final round of the world series shortly after quitting the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.

Fiji celebrated back-to-back Rugby Sevens World Series victories, secured with a fourth-place finish at the London tournament, which was won by Scotland.

But Hayne struggled in the tournament at Twickenham, coming off the bench in every game and playing only 11 minutes in total.

His inexperience in the seven-a-side format was evident throughout the tournament, penalised for a ruck infringement in a game against Australia.

Speaking after his debut tournament, Hayne acknowledged he had plenty of work to do to get himself ready for the rigours of Rugby Sevens.

“It’s all hard, continuous, I got caught in the ruck a couple of times too,” he said.

“That was a good learning curve and when you’re rucking and trying to ruck the ball obviously you exert a lot of energy.

“It’s so much faster, it’s a lot quicker, (I’m) still getting used to it. I’m just being a sponge and learning as much as I can,” Hayne said.

While being named in the preliminary squad is a step in the right direction for the former Parramatta Eel in his bid to become an Olympic medal winner, it in no way guarantees him a plane ticket to Brazil.

Coach Ben Ryan will cut the squad to 13 in the coming weeks for the Olympics in August.

Hayne shocked the sporting world in mid-May when he announced he was abandoning the NFL to try his hand once again at a sport he had never played before.

Fiji squad: Alivereti Veitokani, Amenoni Nasilasila, Apisai Domolailai, Emosi Mulevoro, Isake Katonibau, Jarryd Hayne, Jasa Veremalua, Josua Tuisova, Josua Vici, Kitione Dawai, Leone Nakarawa, Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Nemani Nagusa, Osea Kolinisau, Pio Tuwai, Samisoni Viriviri, Savenaca Rawaca, Semi Kunatani, Seremaia Tuwai, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Vatemo Ravouvou, Viliame Mata, Waisea Nayacalevu.

— with AAP