This was published 8 years ago
San Francisco 49ers' Jarryd Hayne admits New York Giants loss was tough
Jarryd Hayne has described the San Francisco 49ers' last-minute loss to the New York Giants as tough, but insists he'll keep trying to make the most of opportunities on the field.
Hayne was rarely sighted in Sunday's 30-27 defeat at the Giants' MetLife Stadium and sat out the entire first half.
"Making the most of my opportunities," Hayne wrote to fans on Instagram.
"Tuff loss against the Giants!
Jarryd Hayne says he is making the most of his opportunities.Credit: Getty Images
"Close losses are the worst."
Hayne added it was "good to see" a fan in a Parramatta Eels jersey in the stadium.
Fans took to social media during and after the game to call on the 49ers to give Hayne more playing time and the Australian might get that with running back Reggie Bush aggravating a calf injury against the Giants.
When Hayne was given opportunities in the Giants game he excelled, including coming in as running back in the third quarter and almost scoring a touchdown.
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick handed Hayne the ball, the Australian broke through the Giants' defensive line on an eight-yard run and was brought down just four yards short of the end zone.
With Giants' quarterback Eli Manning commanding his team's offence with 41 completions from 54 passing attempts for 441 yards and three touchdowns, Giants' Australian punter Brad Wing only had two opportunities to punt to Hayne.
Hayne, encircled by Giants, killed the first with a fair catch.
The second punt showed the skills of both Australians, with Wing's left foot booting the ball 55 yards downfield, Hayne ran to his right, caught the ball over his left shoulder near the sideline and then went on another powerful run for a 16-yard return.
The 49ers had a 27-23 lead with 1:45 left, but Manning threw the match-winning touchdown to tightend Larry Donnell with 21 seconds left.
It was the 49ers' fourth straight loss and fall to a one win, four loss record while the Giants improved to three wins, two losses.
The 49ers return home next weekend to take on the misfiring 1-4 Baltimore Ravens.
AAP