Hayne probed about ABs while in America
Jarryd Hayne has revealed that even in America he couldn’t get away from the All Blacks.
Hayne was in New Zealand yesterday to announce he’d be play in February’s Auckland Nines.
He is back in league after spending a season with the San Francisco 49ers in the NRL and said that while he was in America he was constantly asked about the All Blacks, also saying that he’s been blown away by how dominant the team have become.
‘‘Even being in America, everyone knows the All Blacks and I always used to get asked if I played against the All Blacks. I’d say I played rugby league in the NRL and they’d say is that the All Blacks?’’
Hayne did get close playing against the All Blacks sevens team at the Rio Olympics a few months ago, when he represented Fiji in the IRB World Series. But he didn’t make the final cut then decided to return to league, at the Titans.
Having played sevens, it’s given him an insight on what nines might be like.
‘‘There are obviously two extra players on the field, so it’s obviously going to be more defensive orientated than the sevens,’’ he said.
‘‘But I’ve got no doubt that it’s up tempo, fast paced and it’s going to be brutal on the body, but I’m looking forward to it.’’
It took a while for Hayne to get used to playing league again and he only made a small impact in the NRL at the back end of the season. But Hayne is looking to be back to his best next year.
He believes a full preseason with the Titans will get him where he needs to be and the first glimpse of the remodelled ‘Hayne Plane’ will be at the Nines at Eden Park.
‘‘I’m going to have three months of training under my belt, so I should be in great shape,’’ Hayne said. ‘‘I’ve got no doubt the Titans will get me in good shape.’’