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.”