Jarryd Hayne debut: Former NRL star excited by impressive start to 49ers career

VIDEO: JARRYD Hayne reveals he had one big goal before his 49ers debut. With teammates amazed by his performance it’s fair to say ‘mission accomplished’.

Hayne reveals biggest fear before debut

JARRYD Hayne had one major concern when he stepped into competitive action for the 49ers on Sunday.

“I wanted to fit in. I didn’t want to go out there and look like a rugby player,” Hayne said.

Mission accomplished. The former rugby league star made the NFL sit up and take notice with an encouraging display that brought high praise from team mates and coaches, as well as media and fans.

“I think for me to out there and have a solid series, solid run, that was the biggest thing for me,” said Hayne.

“The (53-yard) run, I was excited. It was big too because we had a play like that a couple of plays earlier (that didn’t come off).

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“The coach was on me to just let it open up. Bruce Miller was like just follow me and I was ‘alright, you’ve got the experience’ it opened up. I was trying to get to the end zone and I didn’t get there.”

The 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick led the praise for Hayne.

“Amazing. He went out there and played really well,” said Kaepernick. “He played fast, had a great run. Had a couple good punt returns. I think everyone was impressed with what he’s done.

“He’s making a very strong case, especially with what he did today.”

Coach Jim Tomsula added: “He absolutely has to battle to make the roster. And I hope I’m presenting a very tempered approach to what happened tonight with Jarryd. There were things that went on and we still have a long way to go.

“The thing that excites me is the kind of person he is. You get into a situation where you’re rooting for guys, you’re pulling for guys. But it’s got to happen. And he’s one of those guys.

“It seems like everybody’s surprised. I’m not.

“Quite honestly, I expected him to be very comfortable in space. I’ve watched a lot of film of him playing rugby. I’ve watched the physicality of his play in rugby. He never missed a beat when he put on shoulder pads. That was the first hurdle I was concerned about. He can play in space. He’s a premier athlete in the world in space.”

His teammate Miller was impress too.

“We were working a combination and really he made the play, ran a perfect course and put his foot in the ground and got vertical when he had to,” said Miller.

“That’s what we always ask of our backs and he did a great job of it on that one. He helped us to make those blocks by his course, and the timing of the play. It’s nice to see that.”

Originally published as Jarryd Hayne debut: Former NRL star excited by impressive start to 49ers career