Australians cheered former rugby star Jarryd Hayne in a “great day for Aussie sport”, after he was selected for the San Francisco 49ers’ final 53-man roster as he chased the dream of an NFL career.
Excitement has been building as the 27-year-old — who a year ago played his last match for Sydney-based Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League (NRL) -- impressed in preseason performances with the 49ers.
“This is a Housing Commission (public housing) kid from a single mum from Minto in Sydney, one of the poorest suburbs,” said Channel Seven sports reporter Josh Massoud on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
“When he started in the NRL (National Rugby League), it took him three years to buy his first new pair of shoes.
“Now he will never have to buy another pair of shoes. It’s a wonderful story.”
Praise for Hayne also came from Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who told reporters his success showed “that even in unfamiliar fields, Australians can do very well indeed when we put our minds to it”.
Hayne has long held a dream to play in the NFL and played 176 games for the Eels, scoring 103 tries, before announcing an unprecedented code swap late last year.
“Champ, we couldn’t be prouder! Keep dreaming big Haynesy #blueandgold #JH38,” the Eels tweeted.
Former team-mate and Eels captain Tim Mannah added: “Great day for Aussie sport. Great inspiration for people that want to chase dreams. Great start to a new journey. Great work @jarrydhayne_1.”
#Hayneplane — which is named after the Australian’s post-try rugby celebrations where he stretches his arms out like aircraft wings — started trending on Twitter as fans shared their pride in the player.
“Hard to say when I’ve been prouder as an Aussie sports fan. Well done, well done,” wrote one fan.
As well as being a star performer for Parramatta, Hayne also played 20 State of Origin matches for New South Wales and won 12 caps with the Kangaroos, the national rugby league team.
But securing a spot in the 49ers was seen as a tough challenge for Hayne, who only played his first American football game during a recent preseason match for San Francisco.
“He was a freakish talent but appeared too inexperienced to make the grade. The closest he’d come to gridiron was playing computer games and throwing a ball in the backyard,” sports writer Will Swanton said in The Australian.
“But he set the NFL preseason alight, became the biggest sports story in American sport and earned himself a multimillion-dollar contract.”
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Barcelona 4 (Messi 23' pen, 45 1', 48', Busquets 85')
Celta Vigo 1 (Olaza 42')
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures
Tuesday, October 29
Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE
Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman
Wednesday, October 30
Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one
Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two
Thursday, October 31
Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four
Friday, November 1
Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one
Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two
Saturday, November 2
Third-place playoff, 2.10pm
Final, 7.30pm
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MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
