Australia's highest-profile code-hopper Israel Folau believes Jarryd Hayne can carve out a successful rugby sevens career and has backed him to make Fiji's squad for the Rio Olympic Games.

Like Folau, Hayne begins a new chapter on a third football code when, as expected, he takes the field for Fiji in the London Sevens tournament at the weekend.

His transition from rugby league to NFL to union is somewhat similar to Folau, who played 91 NRL matches and eight Tests for the Kangaroos and 13 games of AFL for GWS before taking on the challenge of rugby with the Waratahs and then the Wallabies.

Folau said if there was anyone who could make the transition to sevens – a far more aerobically focused code – in such a short space of time, it was Hayne.

"I hope he does make the Rio team and I certainly think he's got the skill set to make the squad," Folau told Fairfax Media. "It's going to be a challenge for him and that's what he likes. It's totally up to their coach and their management team to see what they think. He sees it as a great challenge for him and he wants to do something different so all the best to him. The type of player that Jarryd is he'd be exciting for any team to have him. I hope he does well."

Folau made arguably the most highly publicised switch to rugby in 2013 and since then the 27-year-old has chalked up 38 Tests for the Wallabies and already broken the all-time NSW try-scoring record set by Lote Tuqiri.

Asked if he had any advice for Hayne if he laces on the boots in sevens, Folau said it was somewhat harder for him to comment because he had only played the 15-man format, but was adamant Hayne's time in the US would hold him in good stead.

"I can't really say because I've never played sevens, so if anything he probably knows better than anyone to go from a sport that he knows well to something totally different in the NFL," Folau said. "I don't think it's going to be anything different to him. He's been through that experience and I'm sure that that will help him out in transitioning to sevens."

Fairfax Media reported the ARU made enquiries towards luring Hayne when he returned from the US in January, but since the former Parramatta Eels star has stated his intention of becoming a Flying Fijian the ARU has not attempted a last-minute steal given he cannot represented both Fiji and Australia in rugby.

Folau hoped Hayne might join him in rugby but was not sure of his plans after Rio, provided he was picked.

"It'd be great for the game, that'd be a big bonus," Folau said. "In terms of what he wants, I'm not sure what he wants, so as long as he's happy and he's doing what he wants that's the main thing."

Former All Blacks and current Waratahs winger Zac Guildford, who won a gold medal with New Zealand at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games against Australia, has also praised Hayne's decision to switch to the truncated format.

He believes Hayne could be just as good at rugby. "He'll be in great physical condition and he's got all the natural skills so I can't see why he can't succeed," Guildford said. "If he did make the transition to 15s, I think he would be just as good as he was at league. He's one of those freaks – a bit like 'Izzy' that can play any sport and do it well."