Former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne's NFL prospects are looking good.
The Sydney-born sportsman is trying to make it in the American football league, and has been impressing fans and pundits ever since his debut for the San Francisco 49ers in a preseason match against the Houston Texans. But now he's had the best indication yet he might make the final line up: He has survived the team's first roster cut.
On Tuesday, the 49ers said goodbye to 10 players, and Hayne was left standing in the 75-man squad.
The big test comes on Sunday Australian time, however, when the team will make a further reduction down to 53 men. That's when the world will finally know if the Australian will be playing in big leagues with the 49ers.
#49ers waive 10 players, announce additional roster moves: http://t.co/60vZuglYBw pic.twitter.com/zaxOQBv487— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 31, 2015
Now down to 75. Hayne still on the roster. #49ers https://t.co/Vktth4g0Ml— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) August 31, 2015
He must also be feeling good about the praise 49ers coach Jim Tomsula heaped on him Sunday after his third semi-competitive game against the Denver Broncos, as Fox Sports reported.
"I’m pretty confident in Jarryd’s ability to field the ball," Tomsula said. "I feel very good about his abilities to field. I feel very good about his abilities to perform with a ball in his hands on special teams. The coverage parts of it? I’ve seen a lot of improvement there. The guy will fly down the field in those areas.
"So, all of those things I’ve seen what I need to see. I think it’s been a great evaluation on him."
Local paper the San Francisco Chronicle speculated on Monday that Hayne would have a slot on the final 49ers roster as a returner and as a running back.
Hayne has one more chance to show what he's made of on Friday during a game against the San Diego Chargers.