"I think you'll see this more and more [in the NFL] with athletes that have the ability to play different sports - at least they'll have the opportunity to see what they could do.
"To even see someone have a chance to go into football that has never played the game is something," Shanahan added about Hayne's first outing for the 49ers.
"The fact he can compete is a credit to him and says what kind of athlete he really is."
Shanahan last visited this part of the world with the Broncos for an exhibition game against the Chargers in Sydney 16 years ago to a crowd of more than 70,000 at the Olympic Stadium. But he said exhibition games on foreign soil don't always get the reception you expect, including fans cheering for the wrong parts of the game.
"Most of these places it was the first time they'd seen American football and the only time they'd clap was when the punters or kickers were kicking. Obviously it's a great experience to come and see football and these days a lot of people have seen it on TV and there is a lot more interest."
The Southern Bowl won't be the first time that Shanahan and Holmgren have gone head to head at a 'Bowl' game. In 1998 when Holmgren was coaching the Packers and Shanahan was coaching the Broncos, they had a showdown at Super Bowl XXXII, with Shanahan's Broncos taking the title.
Shanahan said New Zealand should fans expect the play to be a very similar level to the NFL with a number of players taking part in the Southern Bowl who will be on the cusp of the NFL.
The final rosters will be named following a draft in October, meaning plenty of players cut from NFL teams before the upcoming season will also be available, in which Holmgren and Shanahan will pick their teams' one for one.
"There's a lot of good players that are out there that are looking for an opportunity to be part of an NFL team so they can showcase their skills, not only to the people in New Zealand but to the people back in the a United States. I think people will be pleasantly surprised by the talent on display.
"We'll be playing very similar systems to the NFL. Especially with Mike Holmgren's background and my background being in the NFL for as many years as we have, we'll showcase different things that we've done with our respective teams through the years."
NFL Scouts will be at the games in New Zealand providing a huge source of motivation for players trying to crack or re-enter the professional league.
The scouts may also make a few trips out to a few other rugby grounds around the country as well if Hayne continues to break ground in the NFL.
The Southern Bowl
The Southern Bowl is New Zealand's inaugural American Football competition which will take place over two weekends in Auckland and Wellington in March 2016.
Two rigorously selected teams of professional American football players will travel from the USA to New Zealand to battle it out on the field, with the winning team taking home The Southern Bowl Cup.
When will the games be played?Eden Park, Auckland, March 5
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, March 12.
How have the teams been put together?The two teams will be put together especially for the Southern Bowl. A fulsome and rigorous try-out process has taken place in five cities across the states (San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York, San Diego, Dallas). The athletes were put through a grueling test, based on the NFL combine and what a player would expect from an NFL workout. The rosters will also be filled with the athletes who have just missed out on the making the final rosters in the NFL. The final rosters will be named in October.
Tickets
Tickets are on sale through Ticketek and prices range from $39 to $129.
