Sydney Roosters captain Jake Friend says he has no doubt star fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could make a successful NFL switch if he wanted.
Rugby league convert Jarryd Hayne is causing a sensation in his attempt to make the San Francisco 49ers’ 53-man roster, starring in his first two pre-season games.
Some have tipped Hayne to open doors for his fellow NRL stars in the lucrative American sporting market.
San Francisco special teams co-ordinator Thomas McGaughey says he would welcome any rugby league player who could step up to the plate like Hayne.
South Sydney prop Thomas Burgess, for one, has expressed a desire to make it in the NFL and is keenly following Hayne’s progress.
Hayne is impressing with his speed, acceleration, catching, palm and ability in open-field and Friend said on Tuesday Tuivasa-Sheck had the requisite skills to do similar things in American football.
The Roosters No.1 is enjoying a breakout season – he tops the league for runs and kick return metres, is second for tackle breaks and last weekend broke Anthony Minichiello’s record for most run metres in a season.
“(Hayne) is going to open a lot of doors for a few blokes and I’m sure Roger would go awesome over there,” Friend said.
“All the best to him (Hayne). I hope he does make it and it’ll be good to see what comes of it.”
Haz
Guest
How about Ben Barba and Anthony Milford? A lot of the running backs that dominate in the league are small zippy evasive guys who can squeeze through a gap.
Ken
Guest
That seems to be the key. I agree that there are plenty of fullbacks and wingers that have the physical attributes to do what Hayne is doing - The Barry mentioned a decent group, Inglis & the Morris boys, etc - but there seems little doubt that Hayne has absolutely poured everything into this. He's done a hugeamount of work and study on the game of NFL over the past year to complement his physical abilities- he didn't just rock-up with his RL skills and show them how it was done.
Niall
Guest
You're are spot on mate, Hayne had been following it since he was a kid. He had an idea of the intricate nature of American Football he wasn't going in there thinking it would be easy.
littleredrooster
Guest
The bodgie guru has spoken..
jamesb
Guest
Spot on. Compare it to someone like Folau. Went to the AFL for the money. And when he announced that he was quitting, Folau then said that he didn't have a passion for AFL. To be a success in any sport, you got to love the game.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Hayne wanted to play NFL. Hayne had a passion for the game. Hayne was prepared to to put in all the work. Hayne was prepared to work for 2 years to get a start. Hayne didn't do it for the dollars. How many NRL players would tick all those boxes? I follow the NFL and college very closely. The game is littered with busts and failures of guys much more talented than any NRL name being mentioned
The Barry
Roar Guru
Any fullback in the NRL and half the wingers would make it as kick return. You couldn't give any fullback a staggered defensive line like Hayne was presented with and not expect them to tear upfield.
Casey
Guest
RTS, Tedesco, James Roberts, Josh Dugan, Josh Mansour, Semi Radradra and Blake Ferguson would all dominate.