NFL: Hayne fires up to book place in final squad

Jarryd Hayne's No 38 jersey was the only one on sale at the 49ers' team store yesterday. Photo / AP

Jarryd Hayne has probably played himself into the San Francisco 49ers' 53-man squad by showing his versatility with power-running, safe hands and punt returning skills against the San Diego Chargers.

The 49ers beat the Chargers 14-12 in their fourth and final pre-season game before the September 14 regular season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

The 49ers have until tomorrow to cut their 75-man pre-season squad to 53.

While Hayne is expected to make the team, two other 49ers competing for his punt and kick returning positions, wide receivers Bruce Ellington and DeAndrew White, also had impressive games.

Ellington was the first 49ers' returner on the field and, as a wide receiver, scored a 70-yard (64m) touchdown.

49ers head coach Jim Tomsula has said he wants his punt returners to contribute at other positions.

In the third and fourth quarters the 49ers went to Hayne at running back and he showed the elusive, power-running that made him one of the NRL's best players.

In one sequence Hayne caught a pass for five yards, had a blockbusting run up the middle for 15 yards on the next play, caught another pass for 12 yards and at the end of the completion lethally dropped his shoulder into corner-back Lowell Rose.

The crowd cheered and TV commentators laughed before declaring, "Hayne just shredded him".

Adding to his versatility, Hayne showed his tackling skills on the 49ers' punt coverage team.

On one kick he ran downfield, eluded the Chargers' blockers and chopped down punt returner Javontee Herndon with an around-the-ankles NRL-style tackle.

Hayne's mother Jodie and sisters Jessi-Lee and Taygan, who flew from Sydney, were in the 49ers' 68,500-seat Levi's Stadium to watch the former Parramatta Eels ace.

Hayne has become a fan favourite in the San Francisco Bay Area, and 49ers supporters are raving about their Australian rookie.

In the team store at the stadium the only jersey on sale was Hayne's number 38.

Store clerks said they had just received a shipment.

Fans looking for the jersey of the team's star, quarterback Colin Kaepernick, had to look in other stores in the arena.

- AAP