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The Hayne Plane may touch down on Australian TV

Jarryd Hayne seriously piqued Australia's interest in American football. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
26th August, 2015
9

Jarryd Hayne’s exploits for San Francisco could soon be available on Australian television, with reports Channel Seven has entered talks with NFL executives to televise 49ers matches in the coming NFL season.

A Seven Network spokesperson confirmed yesterday that the network has been in contact with the NFL to discuss broadcasting Hayne’s matches, which could start as soon as his next trial game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

The former Parramatta Eels star has been making headlines in recent weeks with his stunning performances in the 49ers’ first two trial games.

While he still has some work to do in order to make the cut for the final 53-man roster when the season begins, the signs from his first two games suggest he is firmly in the running.

The US media is talking about him as one of the biggest success stories of the pre-season as he continues to wow audiences in both hemispheres.

At the moment however the only access Australian audiences have had to view Hayne’s trial games have been via the NFL’s online streaming services.

There is a free seven-day pass available for this service via the NFL website, but to watch all season long costs $180 to subscribe to a single team for the full season, or $230 for unrestricted access to all NFL games.

Seven currently has a license to televise three NFL games per week during the season proper, and does so via 7mate. The deal being discussed would more specifically cover a schedule of games including the 49ers’ remaining trial games and their regular-season games.

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The Seven spokesperson said they expect an answer from the NFL within the next few days.

In October 2014 Hayne knocked back the largest contract ever offered to a NRL player and announced that he was quitting the league to follow his dream of becoming an NFL player.

In March 2015 it was announced that he had joined the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on a three year contract with $US100,000 guaranteed.

He made his pre-season debut against the Houston Texans on August 15, completing a 53-yard run with just his second touch of the ball.

In his most recent pre-season game against the Dallas Cowboys he finished as the game’s leading rusher with 54 yards from eight carries in the 49ers’ 23-6 victory.

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