Jarryd Hayne trainer Hayden Knowles’ huge call

THERE are big calls — and then there’s this huge claim from Jarryd Hayne’s close friend and former trainer Hayden Knowles.

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the San Diego Chargers during their NFL preseason game at Levi's Stadium on September 3, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

IF YOU thought Jarryd Hayne’s self-belief was strong, you should hear what those who have worked closely with him feel he can achieve.

Hayne’s close friend and former trainer Hayden Knowles has declared “America hasn’t seen anything yet” little over a week out from what could mark Hayne’s NFL debut for the San Francisco 49ers agains the Minnesota Vikings.

And he didn’t stop there, either.

Knowles trained Hayne from the age of 16 through to his NRL career at the Parramatta Eels.

He travelled to the US with Hayne after the 27-year-old announced he would be pursuing his NFL dream.

“It’s more than just a sports story,” Knowles told Fox Sports News on Monday.

“It’s hard to put in words how powerful his belief is.

“I was privileged to travel with him on his first trip after he made the announcement and to tell you how powerful that belief was and how much evidence he gave me of how much he wanted it, we would be here all day.

Jarryd Hayne runs with the ball against the San Diego Chargers.

“His life’s always been about people saying he can’t do something, so he proves them wrong. It’s been about chasing dreams from day one for him.”

Knowles said the sky was the limit for the former NRL star, and boldly predicted Hayne’s journey would become one of the biggest sports stories in a century.

“America hasn’t seen anything yet. Physically he was able to do this a long time ago, but emotionally and where he’s at in his life now, he’s so ready,” Knowles said.

“Resource-wise, he’s got it all. Physically, he’s got the athleticism, and the most important resource is his drive and his want and his desire, but also he’s being surrounded by people over there who have embraced that dream and taken him under his wing.

“In 10 years’ time, this will be the biggest story in the past 100 years of sport.

“I really believe he will go to the top. He will become the very best.”

Knowles now works with the Sydney Roosters and he pinpointed exciting fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as one man who could follow Hayne to America.

“The next Jarryd Hayne is Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. If I was the NFL ... I would go and throw all the money in the world at him.”

Knowles says Hayne’s self-belief is unmatched.

NFL’s director of football development Matt Birk, meanwhile, said Hayne will prove to be a nightmare for opposition coaches as he finds his feet in the game.

Citing Hayne’s slick running skills and brute toughness, Birk was left questioning how the man from Minto can be stopped after watching him in the pre-season.

“He’s kind of a tough match-up if you will on the opposing team because what kind of player can sit on Jarryd?” Birk told Sky Sports Radio.

“He’s too big, he can overpower the smaller, faster defensive backs and he’s probably too fast for some of the bigger, stronger line-backers.

“And that is key in our game of American football. It’s about the match-up and Jarryd with his unique skill-set causes a problem for defences there.”

The former Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens centre, who was twice named an All-Pro, believes Hayne will be eased into his offensive role as a running-back, and expects 49ers coach Jim Tomsula to first utilise the former rugby league fullback as a punt returner.

“I’m sure they will start slow with him because he still is new to the sport,” he said.

“Because he is such a good athlete I would imagine he will be playing more of the phases, the kick-offs, the punts, the kick-off returns and the punt returns.

“Even though that is probably less fanfare, it is a very crucial part of our game: the kicking game.

“He will be getting plenty of time and I can imagine as the season goes on, offence is a little bit more complex and they will probably work him in there.”

— with AAP