Hayne
Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne (38) poses with an Australian flag after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. Reuters/Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco second year running back Jarryd Hayne will be featured in the Parramatta Eels’ National Rugby League season opener against the Brisbane Broncos at Pirtek Stadium next month.

According to Fox Sports Australia, Hayne will be on deck to help the Eels kickoff their 2016 NRL season opener against the Broncos. The report added that the 28-year-old 49ers running back will be part of celebrations in Parramatta, where Hayne played nine seasons of rugby league action.

Hayne is currently enjoying his stay in Australia after enduring a challenging rookie season with the 49ers in the NFL. The Australian rugby league star is set to return in San Francisco next season, although he may start from scratch again to impress new coach Chip Kelly, who is excited to see the former Eel in year two of his NFL career.

"I think it's pretty amazing just because I know how difficult this game is, and to not have any background in it and then to be able to play at its highest level is really a credit to him in terms of what type of athlete he is," Kelly said, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. "He's one of those guys, you get really excited to see what he can do and what type of jump he can make in a year two with a better understanding of how the game is played.”

Hayne did not have much of a chance to show his potential during the regular season, but there were glimpses of his natural ability as a running back during the course of his rookie year. Niners general manager Trent Baalke said he expects “Hayne Plane” to come back for the 2016-2017 season and have a better feel for playing American football.

"I think if you asked him [Hayne], he’d tell you his eyes got opened pretty quick, especially when you go from preseason games to the regular season games just the difference in tempo and everything that goes with that,” Baalke said, reports the 49ers’ official website. "[He] learned a lot, did some good things for us and [we’re] expecting him to come back and have a better feel for the game."

RELATED STORIES