San Francisco 49ers
August 17, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of Levi's Stadium during the first quarter between the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos. REUTERS/Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers rookie Jarryd Hayne looked composed in the team’s first full contact training on pads and helmet at Levi’s Stadium. The Australian rugby star’s attempt for an NFL career continued on Tuesday after going helmet-to-helmet with fellow rookie linebacker Nick Moody and catching touchdown passes from quarterback star Colin Kaepernick.

Hayne was lectured by coaches during the physical training, telling the 49ers hopeful to pick up the pace and power on the drills. The 27-year-old running back earned more positive comments after showing his speed and natural skills that could lead him to an NFL roster spot with the 49ers.

Niners special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey Jr was one of the persons who noted Hayne’s positive progress and determination to learn American football. McGaughey recognized Hayne’s natural open field run skills, which could translate well in the latter’s position as running back. He also pointed out that the rugby star has the “ability” to be an NFL-caliber returner.

“[Hayne] He can stick his foot in the ground, he can make people miss. He's an excellent fielder of the ball, works extremely hard, very conscientious and he's a tough kid," McGuaghey said, reports ESPN.

However, McGaughey, who also coached Aussie punters Brad Wing and Jamie Keehn at Louisiana State University, wants to see Hayne get hit in the face or blindsided by a missile-like tackle from a linebacker. While McGaughey will be one of the most influential persons to decide Hayne’s spot in San Francisco, the Australian’s reaction to getting smashed is one of the keys for making 49ers’ 53-man squad.

Meanwhile, despite directly taking hits in the National Rugby League, Hayne admitted wearing pads and helmet makes a different impact. After getting hit by feared linebacker Moody, Hayne was able to determine the difference of “footy” from American football in terms of physicality.

"I think the biggest thing is you wear a helmet and shoulder pads. You go a lot harder into tackles and you go with a lot more force,” Hayne said, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

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