After being charged with sexual assault last month, NRL star Jarryd Hayne is expected to plead not guilty, his lawyer says.
A woman is alleging that Hayne raped her in an encounter in her Hunter Valley home on the eve of the grand final.
The alleged victim was interviewed by the NRL integrity unit before being referred to the police, whereupon Hayne was questioned and subsequently charged with sexual assault and inflicting actual bodily harm.
Hayne faced Burwood local court this morning, with the matter expected to appear in Newcastle court in February.
Hayne is reportedly on strict bail conditions.
Jarryd Hayne leaves court this morning
A statement released by police at the time of the assault read that “Police are investigating following reports a woman was sexually assaulted by a 30-year-old man in late September. The investigation is being led by detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad. No further information is available at this time.”
In addition to the hunter incident, Hayne is also facing sexual assault charges in the US from his time spent at the San Fransisco 49er’s NFL team.
In that case, a woman has claimed she was sexually assaulted by Hayne after meeting him at a bar. Hayne has denied the claims.
Hayne, who is currently out of contract with any NRL club, has been linked with St Geroge Illawarra Dragons for 2019. However, it’s unclear whether the recent developments will affect his playing future.
When asked about how the case would play out for Hayne’s career, NRL CEO Todd Greenberg refused to speculate.
“Jarryd has got issues to deal with and they have got nothing to do with rugby league at the moment,” he said.
“Given he has been charged and it is a serious police matter I am not going to be making any comment on Jarryd.”
Hayne offered no comment to reporters
