NFL News: Jarryd Hayne not assured of final roster spot, Australian Media needs to fact check, says Jim Tomsula

Jarryd Hayne survived the San Francisco 49ers’ first roster cut and will join the club in its final preseason game on Friday against San Diego Chargers. Reports from Australia have suggested that Jarryd Hayne is assured of a final 53-man roster spot with the 49ers, but coach Jim Tomsula quickly spoiled the excitement of “Hayne Plane” passengers.

“I don’t know what the rules are in the media in Australia, but you might want to fact check. The 53 is not set,” Tomsula said, the Herald Sun reported.

Reports from Australia earlier this week claimed that Hayne had told family and friends he has avoided being cut ahead of San Francisco’s season opener against Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 14. While speculations about making the final cut is “premature,” Hayne is still expected to be part of San Francisco's final lineup on Sept. 5 after an impressive preseason run with the 49ers.

Tomsula also knew Hayne had the talent and skill to be a punt returner, but the 49ers’ coach wants to see the Australian football sensation on specialist roles as backup running back, and contributing in other areas of special teams.

The Australian rugby league star will have to impress again when the team takes on the Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. However, America’s winningest rugby coach Jack Clark believes Hayne’s ability alone could fulfill his dream of playing for an NFL team.

Clark, current head coach of University of California’s rugby team, said the 27-year-old Hayne would certainly make the 49ers’ final roster because of his several potential contributions to the team. Mark Prudy, a writer for Mercury News, wrote in his column about an interview with Clark, who explained Hayne’s surprising success in playing American football.

Clark, who has played for and coached the US National Team, said the idea of Hayne being a great punt returner is not surprising because of his background on catching in Australia’s rugby league. The US rugby Hall of Fame inductee also said that rugby league has played a huge part on why Hayne makes defenders miss in the open field.

“Those punt returns [Hayne] he’s made are pretty similar to an open-field rugby phase. His rugby vision is applicable. And if opponents try to rip the ball away from him, he’s used to that, too, from rugby,” Clark told Mercury News.

Meanwhile, Tomsula admitted recruiting more league and union players is an option, with his experience in assessing athletes from non-NFL sports after spending years as a coach in NFL Europe, where teams widely recruited. He also added that league and union players are suited to playing as running backs, returners, and open-field tackling positions with their ability to run in open spaces.

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