Jarryd Hayne compared to Michael Jordan, praise from 49ers NFL teammates after debut

SAN Francisco 49ers coach Jim Tomsula has dropped the biggest name of all talking about Jarryd Hayne.

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 15: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks the tackle attempt of Rahim Moore #26 of the Houston Texans in the first half at NRG Stadium on August 15, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

SAN Francisco 49ers coach Jim Tomsula has dropped the ultimate sporting name in describing Jarryd Hayne: Michael Jordan.

Hayne’s remarkable 49ers debut on Sunday, highlighted by a 53-yard run, has sparked major interest among US media in his quest to make the NFL.

Speaking to KNBR Radio, Tomsula referred to NBA icon Jordan in trying to explain how big a deal the NRL superstar — who has already been compared to LeBron James — was in Australia.

“I can’t tell you I was extremely surprised (by his debut success),” Tomsula said.

“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.

“This guy playing in space, I’ve seen it, I’ve seen a lot of it, so I felt like he would do really well.”

Click here for more of today’s US media views on Hayne at Fox Sports