Australian Rugby Star in NFL

[spuwho]

Australian rugby sensation Jerryd Hayne has been working to make the NFL by way of the 49'ers.

Know in rugby for his outstanding physical skills, some believe with more experience, he has the capability to do very well.

Per Business Insider:

http://www.businessinsider.com/rugby-superstar-wants-to-join-the-49ers-2015-9




Just one more preseason game for Jarryd Hayne this weekend before we'll know if the former Australian rugby league player has managed to win final selection to play for the San Francisco 49s in the year's NFL season.

He's not the first Australian to make it in the United States and the American football league.

So what is it about Hayne that's captured the attention of people both here in Australia and in the US?

I've followed Hayne's career for many years and he is a graduate from the school of hard knocks. As a young boy, raised by a single mother in Sydney's south-west, Hayne's instinct was to fight for his family so they would eventually have their own home.

https://www.youtube.com/v/NtgEme7IQAA

Growing up in a Campbelltown housing commission building would not have been easy for Hayne, who started playing rugby league as a six year old. But the San Francisco 49ers recruit was blessed with the right physical attributes to become a star athlete.

As the son of a Fijian rugby league player and an Australian mother, Hayne's football pedigree is a bonus. His fast-twitch fibres in his powerful muscles helped him to become one of the fastest schoolboys on the track. He won a national schoolboys title for 100m hurdles, without an ounce of training.

Hayne used his athletic build and speed to his advantage and debuted for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL at just 18. He won the 2006 Dally M Rookie of the Year award and a coveted spot in the Kangaroos squad.

On the US footy field
In recent weeks NFL fans and Australians watched in awe, as Hayne's superstar qualities were tested during 49ers' preseason games against Houston, Dallas and Denver.

The 49ers running back and return specialist exceeded expectations with his speed and evasive skills, and set the field alight with some blistering runs. Hayne's athleticism, strength and speed took his NFL opponents by surprise. Seasoned NFL commentators were stunned.

History has a habit of repeating itself, and in Hayne's case, this is what has happened, when comparing his form during his youth. When Hayne is fresh, focused and challenged, he is more likely to rev up and produce spectacular football.


Hayne's initiation to the NFL is something that footballers dream of. But can the 27-year-old megastar sustain his momentum and continue to play a key role for the 49ers?

The NFL, known for its ruthless nickname "Not For Long", is a seemingly elusive goal for spirited Australians, as they've pitted their talents against thousands of American hopefuls.

Former NFL punter and Geelong captain Ben Graham, who was the first Australian to play in the Super Bowl, said many hours of preparation was invested in every play, on top of physical and skills training.

Back in 2006 while punting for the New York Jets, Graham said:

[...] it's up to the individual player to put themselves in the best position to win a job because it's not as easy as a lot of people think it is.
But there's no doubt that there's ability in Australia to make that transition.
While AFL footballers-turned punters have made effective transitions into NFL, Hayne arrives from NRL where there is no history of success.

Hayne has proven he can become a leading return specialist for punts and kick-offs. Some of Hayne's "catch-me-if-you-can" runs have enthralled sports fans worldwide. These golden moments have been played online repeatedly since his pre-season debut.

There has been huge reaction on social media related to Hayne's on-field feats and the official season hasn't even began. The 49ers' final 53-man roster will be decided on September 6.

The odds are swinging in Hayne's favour. He is fast becoming a brand that has caught the 49ers and his management offguard – typical of the "Hayne Train".

NFL fans and Aussie tourists have quickly snapped up Hayne's number 38 jerseys in official stores and now they've sold out.

You can't endorse an athlete more highly than excited fans, who can't get enough of him.

[MusicMan]

Having recently seen Rugby on ESPN, these guys (professionals) are incredibly tough. Even the top US College Teams are good.

[spuwho]

Here is is Rugby highlight reel.  He has a wicked straight arm.

https://www.youtube.com/v/yItnEVoD0VQ

Here is the same straight arm against the Cowboys at 1:29

https://www.youtube.com/v/wNjlsSapv2o

After watching a ton of his runs for the 49's, I gotta say, Blaine Gabbert is not his best teammate.

There was one option read, where Blaine kept the ball from Hayne and took it himself and got smothered for a loss. Hayne was left standing there with his hands open saying "what are you doing?" as the right tackle had opened a huge hole for him. When Hayne ran to Gabbert to ask what happened, Gabbert blew him off.

I hope he reaches some level of success in the NFL. It's definitely not easy for him. 

[fsquid]

I think his ability to return kicks might get him a spot on the roster.

[johnnyliar]

This guy is so fun to watch. He runs with such a ridiculous style, shifting ball carrying hands and no fear of lowering his shoulder and making hits.

[ProjectMaximus]

All my rugby friends are rooting for him. I think he'll stick.

[Captain Zissou]

What happened to Carlin Isles contract with the lions?  Did that ever result in anything?

[ProjectMaximus]

From yesterday, totally outruns a DL and then flattens the corner.

http://www.49ers.com/video/videos/Jarryd-Hayne-Gains-12-Yards-on-Screen-Pass/78b23362-2f0f-48ff-b10a-c2c6118f50ac

What happened to Carlin Isles contract with the lions?  Did that ever result in anything?

^No idea. But they should be focused on the Olympics next summer. I think US has a very good chance to medal, if not win it outright.

[spuwho]

He made the roster.

Australia is rejoicing.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13590667/rugby-star-jarryd-hayne-makes-san-francisco-49ers-roster

Biggest NFL surprise since Vince Papale.

[ProjectMaximus]

We gave him a cheer at rugby practice lol

[spuwho]

I have been watching some of the Australian sports talk shows and they are getting a little worried about the hype.

Apparently people kept telling Hayne's family he was on the team when he actually wasn't. It was causing a lot of concern with Jarryd because he thought the hype might diminish his chances.

I listened to the now retired John Madden on sports radio and he said he liked him when he saw his first game. Said he definitely has talent as a kick returner. Says his real skill will come in punt returns where he has to catch the ball in a crowd.

The biggest concern he had on him was his ability to protect the ball. Rugby tends to carry the ball different and he was concerned that a linebacker will be able to punch the ball out of him, especially from behind. Madden said his longevity will solely depend on his ability to adapt quickly to NFL expectations.

After watching his rugby reel, I would love to see a play designed to use that skill. NFL is so adverse to "new", but some of those crossover laterals he ran and the way he could hit the ball sideways to a teammate could all be used legally in the NFL.  But the NFL is so high dollar now, it has become risk adverse for OC's to reach too far outside the playbook. Boise State the NFL is not.

I did get a laugh when the Aussie sports talk were making fun of the difference between "padding" an opponent vs a "stiff arm". Stiff arm is an illegal tackle in rugby. We Yanks use it to push off an opponent.

The 49ers are one of the few teams to take risks on football talent.  If one recalls, they brought in Renaldo Nehemiah, the Olympic hurdler due to his ability to beat DB's in deep patterns. Ultimately he really was used to loosen coverage on Jerry Rice.

[fsquid]

He's also used to playing defense, so they used him on punt and kickoff teams.  He made a few tackles.

[spuwho]

Hayne was able to grab some minutes in the MNF game against the Vikings.

His first punt return was a total disaster.  He muffed it badly and fumbled to the Vikings. ( spectators said a wind gust blew it short)

His other returns and passes in the flat went pretty well.  He clearly has a wicked first cut, which makes his passes in the flat better for him. He is still having some problems hitting his line sometimes.

If the hole is a mile wide, he excels getting past the inside LB into the backfield. But anything smaller in the gap he doesnt get through well.

Still, for a guy who is player #52 on the roster, he got a lot of playing time.

[ProjectMaximus]

he blocked well in pass protection too which is very important in the NFL

[spuwho]

I just checked with the SF beat writers update.

- Reggie Bush got injured early
- so they moved Ellington over to kick returns after the flub
- moved Hayne up on certain offensive packages
- moved Hayne back to KR in 2nd half

Lets put it this way. If Belichick was coach, Hayne would have been in the doghouse.

Now the question will be if he dresses next week. Depends how serious Bush was injured.

NFL is not a charity, he may get away with this one, but he does it again it might be bad news.

One writer said as soon as he saw the balls trajectory change he should have waived it off and let it roll. But the wind blew it back so far it would have landed in coverage and risk bouncing into a 49er.

Tough situation for any rookie regardless of experience and a tough one first out for Hayne.