by David Zizmor

photo credit sfgate of Jarryd Hayne

SANTA CLARA–Ex-Rugby player Jarryd Hayne is making a mark for himself with two receptions and carrying for 17 yards and that was just in Thursday’s pre season game against the Chargers at Levis Stadium. Hayne has turned out to be everybody’s favorite pre season story and he has fermented a spot on the roster as well. The 49ers knew he was an excellent punt and kick returner. He continued more of the same in this last game.

He’s turning out to be a really good running back because that’s his regular position. He so far has 88 yards on ten carries in pre season. When you get a 5.8 yards per carry as a back up that’s solid. He kind of punctuated that with a big 12 yard run. Where Hayne lowered his pad and just leveled a tackler. Technically speaking Hayne was the one who got tackled but the defender who tackled him just got bowled over.

That play just energized the 49ers they were really excited to see that kind of a play. Hayne is a guy you really got to keep an eye on here because it’s a great story this from a publicity standpoint. Because he’s a world class rugby player coming over to the 49ers to see if he can cut it as an NFL player.

In watching Hayne this is a guy who can make a real difference on this team and he’s 27 in the prime of his athletic career right now. The one thing you got to remember right now Hayne is not just some average rugby player whose just coming over from Australia to play in the NFL. This guy was the best rugby player in the Australian rugby league.

Australia has the best rugby leagues in the world, Hayne was considered one of the best rugby players on the planet. He was going to get one of the biggest contracts but he decided he really wanted to challenge himself and try out for the NFL and he kind of has fallen in love with the game and the league in the last few years. Hayne has never played pro football or organized pro football for that matter.

Bottom line you should just see how Hayne runs he’s a bull.

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each week for http://www.sportsradioservice.com