Parramatta Eels star player Jarryd Hayne yesterday rescued a girl from drowning in a strong rip at Coogee Beach.

Hayne and his father were also caught up in it and swept up to 200m from the shore.

The girl was in obvious danger as she shouted she couldn't keep up anymore.

The two men swam to her aid and tried to stop her from panicking until they could pull her out of the swell and hand her over to lifesavers.

Hayne's father praised his son's actions and called him a hero, but the modest player insisted it was the lifesavers risking their lives every day who were the real heroes.

Hayne's team-mates were suitable impressed by his noble actions but couldn't resist ribbing the player, nicknaming him 'Hoff'.