Just as they'd view a koala or kangaroo at a zoo, Americans have responded to Jarryd Hayne's decision to join the San Francisco 49ers with a mix of wonder and curiosity.
Hayne's decision to sign with the five-time Super Bowl-winning 49ers received widespread media coverage in the US, with segments aired on TV sports network ESPN and stories in newspaper sports sections across the nation.
On major US websites, such as Yahoo.com, Hayne stories have links to YouTube highlight reels from his days as a Parramatta, NSW and Australia rugby league star.
"He won't look out of place physically on an NFL field," Yahoo's Frank Schwab wrote.
A Hayne story was the second most read on the San Francisco Chronicle website on Tuesday morning.
Like most US media reports, Hayne is referred to as a "rugby" player, with most Americans unable to distinguish between union, league and AFL.
"Australian rugby star Jarryd Hayne will attempt to master a second sport with the 49ers," the Chronicle piece began.
While the 49ers beat rival NFL teams the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks for the Australian, the team made no mention of Hayne on their 49ers.com website.
Hayne is yet to sign a contract, so the 49ers are expected to keep quiet until the 27-year-old puts pen to paper.
Hayne said he would soon fly from Sydney to California and would have about five months to prove to the 49ers he could be an NFL player.
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