Jarryd Hayne 49ers debut: Aussie had a nap hours before San Francisco’s win over Minnesota Vikings

JARRYD Hayne’s former teammate Tim Mannah, who was at the 49ers’ win over the Vikings, reveals the Aussie’s rapid rise doesn’t surprise him.

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers returns a punt against the Minnesota Vikings during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 14, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

IF JARRYD Hayne had nerves, he certainly wasn’t showing them.

In fact, he slept.

A few hours before his NFL debut, before the biggest moment in Australian sport this year, Hayne disappeared into his hotel bedroom and grabbed a few zeds.

And according to Tim Mannah, the Parramatta skipper who is this week bunking down on the couch of his close friend, Haynsey later made the short drive to Levi’s Stadium as relaxed as he’d ever seen him.

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This is a fairly nerve wracking stage, but he seems to handle it easy.

Tim Mannah

“In the zone,’’ as how Mannah put it, chatting with The Daily Telegraph shortly before kick off.

“He was in team meetings all morning. Then he came home, had a nap, that’s it.

“This is a fairly nerve wracking stage, but he seems to handle it easy.”

It is also why he will recover.

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Tim Mannah (C) watches his close mate.

For, sure, Hayne didn’t have the best NFL debut.

In fact, his opening touch was what we Aussies might call a $#@&*en disaster.

Yet still, you have to believe the 27-year-old is set for bigger things. Certainly Mannah does.

“This arena, it suits him,’’ the NRL prop continued. “Jarryd’s always loved the biggest stage and now he’s on the big stage every week.

“It’s right up his alley.”

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Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers poses with fans after the 49ers beat the Minnesota Vikings

Yet still, you have to believe the Mannah is a little surprised.

For a year ago, he and Hayne were teammates.

Members of the same Bible study group.

And suddenly, here he is in California, wearing a Niners shirt and cap. Watching as his close mate runs out for the NFL season opener in Monday Night Football.

So are you surprised to be here?

“It’s definitely surreal,’’ Mannah continued. “But it doesn’t surprise me.

“When Jarryd set out to do this we believed in him. But the fact he’s done it so quickly ... yeah, that’s crazy.”