Jarryd Hayne unleashes on Aussie journo

JARRYD Hayne has ripped into a local journalist who he claims fabricated a story that made waves both here and in the US this week.

JARRYD Hayne has ripped into an Australian journalist who he claims fabricated a story that made waves both here and in the US this week.

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Tomsula was forced to respond to the report, in which it was alleged Hayne had already informed friends and family that he had been assured of a spot on the team’s 53-man roster ahead of the opening regular season game against Minnesota on September 14.

“I don’t know what the rules are in the media in Australia, but you might want to fact check,” Tomsula said in an interview on San Francisco’s KNBR radio station earlier this week.

“The 53 is not set.”

Hayne went a step further on Thursday, taking to Twitter and Facebook to call out the “disgraceful journalism”.

Disgraceful journalism. pic.twitter.com/A1m1f3UGnc

— jarryd hayne (@jarrydhayne_1) September 3, 2015

The initial report came via a tweet from a rugby league gossip columnist, known as The Mole.

BREAKING BIG SCOOP...Jarryd Hayne has told family and friends he's in 53 man roster with @49ers

— The Mole (@RLW_Mole) August 31, 2015

The Mole defended himself Thursday and claimed Hayne was backing down because the coach “kicked his arse”.

Hard to believe a 16-word tweet becomes an international incidentMoley sticking to his guns, peeps...

— The Mole (@RLW_Mole) September 3, 2015

@snoogens07 U think it's wrong, fool?He's obviously been told to deny til the BIG announcement...

— The Mole (@RLW_Mole) September 3, 2015

@pauLFChart @snoogens07 Coach obviously kicked his arse...

— The Mole (@RLW_Mole) September 3, 2015

Hayne has impressed in exhibition games against the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, and has one more chance to prove himself against the San Diego Chargers in a fourth and final pre-season game on Friday (AEDT).

Tomsula said he knew Hayne had the talent and skill to be a punt returner, with his catching of high balls and open field running developed while playing in the NRL.

What the coach needs to see is more of Hayne’s ability in NFL specialist roles as a back-up running back and contributing in other areas of special teams.

“I will say he’s busting his tail in those other areas,” Tomsula said.

“Guys, we didn’t teach Jarryd Hayne how to catch that ball. OK? He came here with that ability.

“We knew that.”

Tomsula also didn’t rule out recruiting more league and union players.

The coach has more experience in the NFL than most at assessing athletes from non-NFL sports after spending years as a coach in NFL Europe where teams widely recruited.

“I’ve got a lot of time doing that,” Tomsula said.

He said league and union players, with their ability to run in open spaces, are suited to playing as running backs, returners and open-field tackling positions.

In specialist positions like quarterback and offensive lineman, the skill sets don’t match up.

“But if you look at the position Jarryd plays, those things translate,” Tomsula said.

“Now, playing in tight spaces and pass protections, he is improving, he is improving big time.”

— with AAP

Originally published as Jarryd Hayne unleashes on Aussie journo