HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 15: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks the tackle attempt of Rahim Moore #26 of the Houston Texans in the first half at Reliant Arena at Reliant Park on August 15, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
By Matt Yoder on

One of the great stories of the NFL preseason has been the journey of former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne and his quest to make an NFL roster with the San Francisco 49ers.  The 2-time National Rugby League Player of the Year has already shined brightly throughout the preseason with a few highlight-reel plays and quickly become a fan favorite with plays like this.

As Hayne’s story gets more attention in America, his homeland is also following along intently.  In fact, Australian television is hopeful of giving Hayne a platform and showing 49ers games on Channel 7 down under if he makes San Francisco’s roster.  The channel already has a contract to show NFL games, but they’re naturally hoping to be able to spotlight 49ers games with Hayne so that more people can come along for the ride.

Via the Daily Telegraph in Australia:

CHANNEL Seven has entered talks with NFL media executives to televise Jarryd Hayne’s matches with the San Francisco 49ers this season.

Desperate to cash in on the phenomenal interest in the former Parramatta Eels superstar, network executives opened negotiations following Hayne’s spectacular game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday.

Seven already has exclusive free-to-air rights to show three NFL games each week.

[…]

The network uses its digital high definition channel 7Mate to show regular-season NFL games.

“We’re obviously aware of the great interest in Jarryd and we’re expecting an answer from the NFL in next few days,” the spokesman said.

It’s hard to believe just how unbelievable Hayne’s story truly is – here’s an athlete in the prime of his career that took on the challenge of not just trying to play a new sport, but doing so on a completely different continent.  Rugby league stars like Israel Folau and Karmichael Hunt tried to cross codes and play Australian football and even that didn’t work out.  At least they tried to play a new sport on the same continent.  Hayne traveling across the Pacific to play a foreign sport and succeeding would be extraordinary.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 30: Jarryd Hayne of the Eels in action during the round 25 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Parramatta Eels at Hunter Stadium on August 30, 2014 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 30: Jarryd Hayne of the Eels in action during the round 25 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Parramatta Eels at Hunter Stadium on August 30, 2014 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

Maybe Hayne’s success with the 49ers will inspire athletes all around the world to try exciting new challenges.  Not to be outdone in the American-Australian athletic relations, Jason Holmes recently became the first born and raised American to play in a senior AFL game with St. Kilda.

[Daily Telegraph]

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