Parramatta Eels back Jarryd Hayne’s success in NFL

THE Parramatta Eels say they are excited by the spectacular early success of former teammate Jarryd Hayne in the US gridiron competition, despite suffering a lacklustre season in his absence.

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 23: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers watches the end of the game from the sidelines against the Dallas Cowboys during a preseason game on August 23, 2015 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Brian Bahr/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

THE Parramatta Eels say they are excited by the spectacular early success of former teammate Jarryd Hayne in the US gridiron competition, despite suffering a lacklustre season in his absence.

The much-loved 27-year-old grabbed world headlines earlier this week with an astonishing second match for the San Francisco 49ers, managing a punt return of 27 yards, when the previous year the record was 23 yards.

Hayne, a former fullback for Parramatta, has moved to the US to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.

Hooker Isaac De Gois summed up the feeling of many of his teammates by saying Hayne’s move was “obviously a loss for us”, but everyone was backing him.

“All the boys are very happy it’s going so well,” De Gois said. “It’s very early days, and obviously he will improve.

The former Eels star was awarded the Dally M Medal in 2009 and 2014 as the NRL’s player of the year. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“He makes very hard things look easy – but he works hard.

“He practices and practices.”

The Eels are focused on their next match against the rejuvenated Cronulla Sharks, the third annual Johnny Mannah Cup, despite being out of contention for the finals.

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The match, at Pirtek Park on Saturday, will be played in honour of the late Johnny Mannah, who was a member of both the Eels and Sharks NRL clubs.

The high-flying Cronulla team will be coming off a scrappy 40-18 drubbing of lowly West Tigers, their best tally since 2012.

Eels prop Daniel Alvaro said the team was pleased with its upset 20-16 win against Manly last weekend, and was concentrating on winning the next game.

Parramatta Eels hooker Isaac De Gois was full of praise for Hayne. Picture: Justin Sanson

“We are determined to win,” Alvaro said. On the Jarryd Hayne front, he said his teammates were supportive of the Aussie’s attempt to crack the NFL.

“He’s really been focusing on it and put in a good showing, it’s definitely a loss for us, but it was a personal challenge for him,” Alvaro said.

Hayne has not forgotten his home team, tweeting after the win against Manly:

“Good to wake up n see @TheParraEels win against manly.”