I've watched more Super Bowls than NRL GFs: Hayne

Former rugby league superstar Jarryd Hayne has made the startling revelation he has watched more Super Bowls than NRL grand finals as he prepares to start his second season with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL.

Hayne, who will soon return to America to begin life under new 49ers coach Chip Kelly, grew up in one of rugby league's heartlands before carving out a successful career with the Parramatta Eels.

But the two-time Dally M Player of the Year winner revealed that he became so enamoured with the NFL that he ended up watching more of the American sport's showpiece event than the league that made him an Australian sporting icon.

Hayne claimed he has watched 10 Super Bowls in total.

"I was mesmerised," he explained to ESPN after watching his first televised game back in 2007.

"It's an up-tempo sport, even with the stop-start ... it's physical, it's brutal. It's really tough,"

And the former State of Origin star believes it won't be long until a horde of Australian sport fans join him on the NFL bandwagon.

"The way the NFL market is, it is like no-other," he said.

"It's incredible. You can understand why it appeals to Australians."

However, the NFL's impact on Australian audiences may rest on Hayne overcoming a number of new hurdles at the 49ers.

Along with new coach Kelly, an innovator of a high-tempo game plan, Hayne may also have to learn to play with a new quarterback, with reports suggesting 49ers play-caller Colin Kaepernick is eyeing a move to the Cleveland Browns.

Kaepernick failed to come to grips with first-year coach Jim Tomsula's offence last year and was eventually benched for back-up Blaine Gabbert.

And with Tomsula shown the door after a disastrous season where the team went for a losing 5-11, a change could also be in the offing under centre.