"The Australian rugby league star, a somewhat surprising inclusion to the San Francisco 49ers' 46-man active roster, misjudged his first punt return and fumbled the ball near midfield after attempting to dive forward to catch it," the ESPN website said. The San Francisco Examiner also highlighted Hayne's fumbled punt. Bad start: Jarryd Hayne fumbles a punt, his first touch in the NFL. Credit:ESPN "The 27-year-old rookie lost the fumble on a punt return in the first quarter when he misjudged the ball and had to dive forward to try to field it," the Examiner said. "He made a one-yard run in the second quarter and caught a seven-yard pass. He was forced into running back duties as the only active back-up after Reggie Bush was lost to a left calf injury with about six and a half minutes left in the first quarter."

Looking to get back to the top level: Jarryd Hayne. Credit:Getty Images The San Francisco Chronicle was matter-of-fact about Hayne, saying: " ... 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne, a former rugby league player making his NFL debut, muffed a punt the Vikings recovered at their 43-yard line. "Then, in the second quarter, Hayne's 11-yard return was wiped out by a running-into-the-kicker penalty on wide receiver Quinton Patton." Sports Illustrated gave Hayne an out, arguing the rookie might have been put off by a strong breeze sweeping through Levi's Stadium. "On Minnesota's first punt of the game Hayne misplayed the ball and allowed the Vikings to recover," the website said.

"According to reporters on the scene in Santa Clara, the ball may have been caught in a stiff breeze. After his error, Hayne's former league colleagues and his fellow countryman and NBA player Matthew Dellavedova tweeted their support." On NFL.com there was an encouraging look forward at how Hayne might be used as the season progresses. "The 49ers lost No. 2 tailback Reggie Bush to a calf injury, which might have been the reason that pre-season sensation Jarryd Hayne was pulled off of punt returns in favour of Bruce Ellington. Although Hayne muffed his first punt-return attempt, his special teams removal may have been a nod to his value as an insurance policy for Hyde."