Ex-rugby league star Jarryd Hayne continues to impress with NFL’s San Francisco 49ers

Australia rugby league star Jarryd Hayne has taken a giant stride towards securing a place on the San Francisco 49ers roster after another dazzling performance in a pre-season game for the NFL giants.

The 27-year-old turned his back on rugby league last year to pursue the seemingly unlikely dream of an NFL career with the 49ers, winning a place on the team’s training roster in March.

Few observers had expected Hayne to force his way on to the 49ers’ 53-man final roster in his first year, but after a series of impressive pre-season displays he is now looking increasingly likely to make the cut.

In his first game against the Houston Texans last week Haynes recorded a 53-yard punt return and on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, on his home debut, the Aussie speedster fared even better.

Hayne caught the eye with a 27-yard punt return before notching a 34-yard return. He then contributed another 23-yard run in the first quarter alone.

San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula was at pains to play down the buzz surrounding Hayne but admitted afterwards it would be hard to leave the rugby convert out of the final roster.

“Obviously the guy’s doing really well. He’s making a great case for himself absolutely,” Tomsula said.

“I think that’s the story in itself. You’ve got a guy who’s never played the game and he’s come out to be in the conversation of making the 53-man roster, on an NFL football team, when you’ve never played football. There’s the story.