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Jarryd Hayne NFL: Even Eels coach Brad Arthur thought star fullback was heading to the Roosters, not America
?Tough,? is how Hayne remembers their first conversation.
And why?
?Brad was worried I might be going to another club??.
Sitting now with The Daily Telegraph inside 49ers HQ, Hayne is finally opening up on those claims his NFL journey was little more than a hoax. A ploy.
Sure, it seems hard to believe now. But to understand how far Hayne has come, how impossible his ascent to NFL cult hero has been, remember that last October Australia?s greatest sports story was thought a lie.
Remembering how, even after heading Stateside, this reigning Dally M medallist was linked, first, to Bondi Junction. Next up Canterbury-Bankstown.
And when Roosters chairman Nick Politis loaned a car during Hayne?s most recent trip home ... well, the rumour mill went nuts.
Indeed, it was a conspiracy alive during his earliest phone calls.
Hayne revealing how, when first breaking the news of his defection from Parramatta, coach Arthur had to be convinced the whole thing wasn?t simply a move to Sydney?s east.
?When I had to ring Brad, that was a tough conversation,?? Hayne concedes.
?I think he was worried that I might be going to another club more than anything. I said ?nah mate? ... explained things to him. And he was great.?
But surely you were annoyed by the rumours which continued for weeks? After all, people were suggesting you?d taken some fairly devious lengths to escape not only your final year with the Eels, but a written bond bearing your signature?
?Nah, not really. I laughed,? Hayne says.
?People have written a whole bunch of stuff about me. Right throughout my career.
?But I know what the truth is. And I?ve always believed that if I know the truth, everything else looks after itself.
?Over this journey, there?s been a whole bunch of things that I could?ve come out and been upset about. Had my way.
?But for me, I only worry about things I can control.?
And as for where the ?Calm Blue Ocean? mantra hails?
?Trusting in God,?? Hayne says.
?He has a plan and if I stick to that, there?s no point stressing.?
Hayne also praised staff from his old club Parramatta, including axed CEO Scott Seward, for allowing him the chance to break a contract and chase his dream.
While many Eels fans remain furious their poster boy was never made sign anything to keep him should this NFL shot fail, the athlete himself describes the process as ?supportive?.
?Brad (coach Arthur) was great. So was Scott Seward and the board,?? Hayne stresses.
?They were supportive.
?I was worried about the repercussions so to see the way things have turned out, it?s been great.?
And so things continue turning here tonight in Santa Clara.
Hayne taking to Levi?s Stadium where, in the final pre-season game against the San Diego Chargers, he gets one final chance to play himself onto the 49ers roster.
Certainly Hayne is expected to see plenty of game time, despite head coach Jim Tomsula revealing he?s ?seen all I need to see? of the Sydneysider as a punt returner.
With several Niners stars, including roommate Carlos Hyde, expected to sit out the fourth and final trial, Hayne will likely be given plenty of chances to continue his NFL education.
Especially at running back.
The other intriguing factor is if the Aussie can get through the game unscathed ? with injury seemingly the only thing now between him and the 53-man roster.
That is, of course, unless Hayne is signing with the Roosters.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ters-not-america/story-fnp3ipqj-1227511576657
