NFL dream closer to reality as ex-rugby league star Jarryd Hayne survives another 49ers roster cut
Australian rugby league international Jarryd Hayne came a step closer to realising his NFL dream on Monday when he survived the latest round of cuts at the San Francisco 49ers.
The 27-year-old’s bid to build a career in the elite American football league has electrified the 49ers’ pre-season and captivated his home nation, where he was one of the most talented and highly paid players in the National Rugby League.
Hayne, who has made the 75-man cut, will find out on Saturday whether he has made the final 53-man squad but many pundits believe he has already shown enough in three pre-season appearances to earn his place.
I feel very good about his abilities to field. I feel very good about his abilities to perform with a ball in his hands on special teams
Prior to the cut, coach Jim Tomsula gave a glowing endorsement of Hayne, who has had a number of impressive carries at running back.
“I’m pretty confident in Jarryd’s ability to field the ball. I’ve watched a tonne of tape on this guy fielding a rugby ball,” Tomsula told US media. “I’ve seen him field here at practice. I’ve seen him field in game situations.
“I feel very good about his abilities to field. I feel very good about his abilities to perform with a ball in his hands on special teams.
“The coverage parts of it? I’ve seen a lot of improvement there. The guy will fly down the field in those areas.