He told Triple M in February that if he ever made a return to the NRL, he would want it to be with the Eels. He fumbled his first touch as the team’s punt returner in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings and was waived by the 49ers in October, only to later re-sign with the team.
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Hayne didn’t rule out a return to the NFL after the Olympics, saying that he was just taking “small steps” and that he wouldn’t rule out any potential move – even joking about joining Premier League giants Chelsea. He started one game in the absence of injured starter Carlos Hyde.
He played eight games for the 49ers, managing 52 yards on 17 rushes and also catching six passes for 27 yards.
The Hayne Plane is heading back to the South Pacific.
Trent Baalke GM of the 49ners said Hayne was a great example of what can happen when you commit to a goal and work hard to achieve it.
Richard Ings, who served as the chair of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority from 2006 to ’10, pointed out that World Rugby requires that athletes be in its registered testing pool for at least six months to be eligible to participate in such worldwide competitions as the Olympic Games. “He will then come into the Fijian camp for the Olympic period”.
Coach Ben Ryan said he could make “no promises” that Hayne would secure a place in his 12-man squad for Rio, where Fiji will seek to win its first Olympic medal in any sport.
He played eight games in his only season as a running back with the San Francisco 49ers, but the lure of the Olympics has proved too strong. Hayne’s No. 38 jersey was one of the league’s top sellers over the past year, and he ranked No. 43 in overall merchandise sales.
The news of Hayne’s departure from the 49ers was sent out by the club’s media team at 3.01am Sydney time, which included a statement as to why he was leaving. Shaun Draughn, DuJuan Harris, rookie Kelvin Taylor, and Mike Davis will all compete for the backup role behind Carlos Hyde.
“He’s a rugby league player, his father’s Fijian so he’s decided “there you go I’m going to give that a crack and I’ve always liked the Olympics”. I’d also like to thank Coach Kelly for the opportunity to come back this year. Hayne received overwhelming support and understanding from the 49ers organization for his decision.
“The past 12 months with the San Francisco 49ers have been absolutely incredible”, Hayne said according to Newsday.
“It’s a tough game and I don’t know if he’s (Hayne) got the conditioning at the moment or had the conditioning to play Sevens rugby”, het old rugby.com.au.
“The 49ers organization has been incredibly supportive throughout my journey and I can not thank them and the support staff enough”.
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Ryan and national sevens team official Chris Cracknell left for London moments after Fiji’s match against Samoa in the final of the HSBC Paris 7s in Stade Jean Bouin to meet Hayne.
