The Hayne Train has officially left the station in the US.
Despite head coach
Jim Tomsula wanting to keep a lid on the hype surrounding the
NRL turned
49ers running back’s spectacular debut in this past weekend’s pre-season game against
Houston, the
San Francisco coach can’t bloody help himself from (at least inadvertently) ramping things up.
With Hayne still a hot topic of conversation among NFL circles as the week progresses, Tomsula appeared on his weekly radio spot on Bay Area station KNBR, Tomsula again threw water on the enthusiasm for Hayne’s game – which included a 53-yard run that made it to the NFL‘s top ten plays of the week.
“I can’t tell you I was extremely surprised.”
But then Tomsula may have accidentally stepped on his own feet by attempting to relay Hayne’s notoriety back here in ‘Straya.
“Was I happy that it happened that way? Yes. But Jarryd Hayne in Australia is… I don’t want to say Michael Jordan, but Jarryd Hayne is a household name in Australia.”
Whilst back here at home we all know that statement to not be *totally* fundamentally true, it’s certainly not the kind of thing that’s going to quell any rising expectations on the burgeoning gridiron star from American fans, or from the 49ers home base in San Francisco.
Nevertheless, Hayne has been drawing praise from his fellow teammates for the performance, most of whom appear to be surprised by his continual toughness.
He might have a long way to go – even before the 49ers final roster is announced on September 5th – but for now at least, it’s a treat watching Hayne prove doubters wrong, supporters right, and earn his way up the depth chart in what is one of the toughest professions in the world to gain employment in.
The 49ers next pre-season game comes against the Dallas Cowboys this coming Monday morning local time.
Photo: Bob Levey via Getty Images.
