Jarryd Hayne praised and scolded at San Francisco 49ers practice

JARRYD Hayne had a mixed reception as he began the new phase of his career, going helmet-to-helmet with a star.

Jarryd Hayne praised and scolded

JARRYD Hayne has begun the new phase of his NFL career, going helmet-to-helmet with San Francisco 49ers’ linebacker Nick Moody and showing the speed that made him an NRL star.

The 49ers are holding their first contact training camp practice in helmets and pads at their Santa Clara headquarters.

Hayne received praise from running back coach Tom Rathman when he met Moody head on with his helmet in a drill, stopping the feared linebacker in his tracks.

Hayne, in his red number 38 jersey, was also admonished by Rathman on occasions, telling the Australian to pick up the pace and power in other drills.

“There you go. There you go,” Rathman said after Hayne halted Moody with his helmet in one joust.

“I like it 38.”

The 49ers then moved into a fast-paced offence versus defence game, with Hayne at running back alongside star quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

The first snap Kaepernick faked to Hayne and passed long to a receiver.

A few plays later Kaepernick threw a fade pass down the right side of the field, Hayne was in open space, caught the ball and showed the speed that made him an ace in the rugby league world for a 40-yard gain. He also scored an impressive touchdown.

Watch Jarryd Hayne’s touchdown in the video player above

#49ers rookie @jarrydhayne_1 hits the blocking sled one last time before his first contact drills in practice pic.twitter.com/ceUfQR0MVZ

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 5, 2015

Jarryd Hayne. 💪🏻 https://t.co/lIS879na3e

— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) August 5, 2015

Despite being lectured by Rathman a couple of times, Hayne flashed a big smile as he walked off the field.

Prior to practice, 49ers coach Jim Tomsula explained what he hoped to learn from the session.

“First of all ... you’re not truly playing ball yet until you get the pads on,” Tomsula said.

“So, that’s the excitement level. Number two, football is a test of will. It’s a test of will, it’s mano e mano, it’s winning your battle, it’s putting everything that you have physically and mentally together and busting through obstacles, so you know, the collisions.

“Now, the evaluation process, obviously you’re seeing if people can translate the weight room work with the explosion work with the speed work. Can we put all that together and can we make it happen. D-Linemen and O-Linemen, obviously it’s easy to see, who’s pushing who, that’s a little easier.

“You go to DB’s and wide receivers, who can get off press? Who can get off those things? Who’s good in press? Just evaluating those kinds of things and making sure.”

Speaking specifically about Hayne, Tomsula added: “And then you’ve got our, like [RB] Jarryd Hayne, that’ll be great to see. He’s tackled before, he’s played a physical game where you strike and it’s body on body, but he’s not done it with a pair of shoulder pads and a helmet. So, that’s good to see. So, we’re excited about those things.”