Hayne’s teammates thrilled with his success

IF YOU were worried “Haynemania” was grinding on Jarryd Hayne’s teammates, rest easy. This uncensored reaction to his best plays proves it.

NFL locker rooms can be ego-filled environments. Throw in an unknown player from overseas who has never played the game before — but is immediately the most asked about man on the team — and there’s obvious potential for friction.

But so far Jarryd Hayne’s presence at the 49ers is bringing his teammates nothing but joy.

San Francisco nose tackle Ian Williams wore a microphone during last weekend’s preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys, capturing his uncensored reaction to everything that happened on the field.

Watch in the video player above at his unbridled enthusiasm when Hayne returns a pair of punts in the first quarter for long gains. As Williams yells “OK, J! OK!” another member of the 49ers defence is heard saying “that boy can run”. It’s clear evidence the Australian convert’s early success isn’t being resented by his new teammates.

Hayne is rooming with fellow running back Carlos Hyde, who describes him as a brother. “We’re in the same room every day. He’s like a brother,” Hyde told Fairfax.

“When I found out he was my roommate, ‘It’s my guy Jarryd.’ I didn’t think much of it, I always thought Jarryd was a cool guy. I wasn’t really thinking much of it.

“Everybody likes Jarryd, given the attention — we already know Jarryd comes from Australia where he has a big name there. Jarryd’s a big-name guy. We’re not going to give him any hassle about it. Cool guy, man.”

49ers linebackers Ahmad Brooks and Aaron Lynch clasp hands after one of Hayne’s touchdown returns.

Hyde says Hayne spends most of his time in his room reading his Bible or FaceTiming with friends and family in Australia. But the pair have shared many conversations about life Down Under.

“We talk a little bit about the league back in Australia. He was telling me about this thing called Mad Monday,” Hyde said.

“That sounds pretty exciting. It’s something I would like to join one day. He tells me some stories from back in Australia. It’s some pretty crazy stories. But it’s good over here.

“I’ve never been out of the country, so it’s good to hear a different perspective from someone outside the country. Them telling me about what goes on out there. I ask Jarryd all the time, ‘So you’re pretty famous, ah? You get a lot of love back there?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, I do.’ I think that’s pretty cool.”

S/O to my guys @MikeDavisRB @jarrydhayne_1 for dinner tonight #RBDinner

— Carlos Hyde (@elguapo) August 17, 2015

In the locker room with coach Jim Tomsula.

Jarryd Hayne at Levi’s Stadium.

Hayne was asked by a US journalist whether he had “tried to make sure you’re still just one of the guys in the locker room and tried to make sure everyone realises, ‘OK, I’m not a big star?’” after training on Friday.

The Aussie insists it isn’t an issue.

“I’ll just keep being me. I’m not the one writing the articles, it’s everyone else,” he said.

“I know what I’m doing here, I know why I’m here — my job is to learn football. I’ve only been training for three or four months now so it’s still fresh. I’m learning every day, making mistakes and learning from mistakes as well. I don’t think you ever get to a point where you feel comfortable.”