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World reacts to Jarryd Hayne against the Denver Broncos

JARRYD Hayne was unlucky not to see much game time against the Broncos, but the NFL rookie still managed to stake a solid claim for a spot on the 49ers roster.

Dan ElsomDan Elsom
@elsom_dan
4 min read
August 30, 2015 - 5:39PM
San Francisco 49ers Jarryd Hayne warms up for the team's NFL preseason football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
San Francisco 49ers Jarryd Hayne warms up for the team's NFL preseason football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

DESPITE Jarryd Hayne’s lack of game time in the San Francisco 49ers third preseason match, Haynemania continued on Twitter as fans called for the 27-year-old rookie to play against the Denver Broncos.

After getting a run in the second half, Hayne finished the game with one pass reception for a gain of 18 yards, as well as a solid 12-yard punt return.

Combined with two rushing plays for no gain, the Aussie wasn’t given much opportunity to improve his chances of making the 49ers roster — but he didn’t do them any harm.

This is how the world reacted to Jarryd Hayne’s third preseason game for the 49ers.

COMMENTATORS

WHILE commentators remained relatively quiet during Hayne’s short stint at Mile High Stadium, the press box announcer made a rather embarrassing blunder as the Aussie took the field for the first time.

Clearly not overcome by Haynemania, the announcer referred to Hayne as “Jermaine”, and later managed to get his last name confused with the word “Hyde”.

With little to discuss considering Hayne’s minimal game time, the Denver commentary team said the rugby league convert still had a long way to go in perfecting his technique.

“Hayne will learn and he’s learning quickly. In rugby they run fairly erect and unless you’re Eric Dickerson that doesn’t work,” one commentator said.

“You’ve got to lower that pad level a little bit. But he’s strong, he’s fast, he’s got a good shot at making this team in San Fran.”

The comments follow an incident earlier this week when Denver Broncos players told Hayne to “get low” during a combined training session.

US MEDIA

US journalists couldn’t help but make similar comment when the Hayne Plane got his hands on the ball, critiquing his running style in his first two rushing plays. But with Hayne making more yards than some of the 49ers most experienced ball carriers, they didn’t critique him for long.

HAYNE

THE man himself didn’t seem too discouraged by his lack of game time against Denver, acknowledging he was likely to have a lesser role in the 49ers third preseason fixture. The third preseason game for the majority of NFL teams is often treated as a “dress rehearsal” for the first regular season fixture, according to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch.

“We knew Game 3, that’s when the starters get their most reps,” Hayne said.

“This is their preparation for Week 1, so we all knew that.”

The 27-year-old said he wasn’t concerned about the announcement of the roster next week, opting instead to be content with his performances in giving himself the best chance of making the final 53.

“I don’t control the future so I’m not worrying about something I don’t control. I’m happy coming over here and doing what I’ve been able to do the last couple of games. I put my best foot forward, I’ve felt, and if the coaches like it, they like it,” Hayne told the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Broncos defence seemed all too familiar with Hayne’s electrifying runs, managing to limit him to a maximum 18 yard reception.
The Broncos defence seemed all too familiar with Hayne’s electrifying runs, managing to limit him to a maximum 18 yard reception.

Hayne expects more playing minutes in next week’s final preseason match when the 49ers take on the San Diego Chargers.

“The difference in the next game is the starters play a bit longer — that’s the only difference. When I went on it was the twos and threes. I knew that. I just tried to do what I could do. Next game is going to be a game that we’ll get a lot of time, obviously if I’m still here,” he said.

“The starters don’t play, it’s pretty much the twos and threes the whole game. This is where we’ll get a ton of time so it’s going to be good. I’ll go in there and do what I do. Come what may.”

COACH TOMSULA

SPEAKING after the game, 49ers coach Jim Tomsula had few words for the press, and even fewer on the topic of the Hayne Plane.

When pressed as to why the former NRL star failed to see a significant amount of game time against the Broncos, Tomsula put his absence down to the need to spread minutes across his entire roster. “I’ve got him in on a rotation this week,” Tomsula said.

Hayne copped some stick for his running style against the Broncos.
Hayne copped some stick for his running style against the Broncos.

Hayne’s limited game time doesn’t seem to have affected his chances at making the final roster.

“Jarryd’s obviously got himself in the conversation. I don’t want to sit here and make statements today but he’s definitely got himself in the conversation,” Tomsula said.

Special teams value is very high when you are talking about the last few spots on the team.”

FANS

The 49ers opted to play running backs Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush and Kendall Hunter in the first half instead of Hayne, who was electric in his first two games for the franchise.

Hyde was effective and Bush produced one long carry but Hunter managed just 15 yards on seven carries. It prompted fans to call for the man who made a 53-yard break with just his second touch in his debut game against Houston.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/american-sports/world-reacts-to-jarryd-hayne-against-the-denver-broncos/news-story/6707d2a967eda033200a5893702c3260