Jarryd Hayne’s immediate NRL future appears even more uncertain with the out-of-contract star reportedly being investigated for sexual assault.
Without an NRL club for next season, Hayne is the subject of an investigation by the NSW Sex Crimes Squad following an incident on grand final night, according to the Nine Network.
The report claimed the woman said she had suffered injuries during a sexual encounter with Hayne in the Hunter Valley on September 30 and that she had photographs to back up her story.
It’s understood the alleged victim was interviewed by the NRL’s integrity unit before the matter was referred to police.
Hayne has not been charged but a police spokeswoman said: “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.”
The report likely comes as no help to Hayne’s pursuit of a new NRL contract, after his most recent deal with Parramatta expired on October 31.
The Eels had been hopeful at least one other player could be picked up by another club to fit Hayne into next year’s salary cap but it’s understood they were unaware of the allegations until Thursday.
“As this is a police matter the club will be making no public comment in relation to these reports,” a Parramatta spokeswoman said.
As of Thursday evening, it’s believed the Eels hadn’t spoken to Hayne while some of his closest teammates were unable to reach him.
St George Illawarra were also said to be interested in Hayne’s services, although it’s likely they too would have to move at least one player on to fit him in.
Hayne’s representative Wayne Beavis opted not to comment when contacted by AAP.
A two-time Dally M Medallist, Hayne is one of the biggest names in the NRL thanks largely to his magical run to help Parramatta to the 2009 grand final.
He has played 11 Tests for Australia and 23 State of Origins for NSW and scored 121 tries in 214 NRL games.
He also created headlines when he left the Eels to play in the NFL, running out for the San Francisco 49ers in late 2015.
However that one-year stay was plagued with drama, with Hayne still defending a civil court rape case made against him while living in the United States – an accusation he has long vehemently denied.
Steve Franklin
Roar Rookie
Now throw the key away while he's in there.
Steve Franklin
Roar Rookie
And he still has to face rape charges in America also.
Steve Franklin
Roar Rookie
I just heard on the news Hayne has been charged for rape and is in gaol.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Yeah, I was wondering at what point the NRL integrity mob got involved? What sort of questions would they be asking? It is a bit off to me...
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
As depicted in the story above the saga has a couple of unusual elements to it if accurately depicted above. Not going to the police as a first step sounds very wayward. They're obviously the ones to collect evidence and take photos as soon as possible. To publicize that you have photos to back up your story is just a strange and flawed thing to do as opposed to letting experts gather evidence and let the normal procedures take their course. The Brett Stewart saga proves that someone needs to be regarded as innocent until it can be shown otherwise.
Bill
Guest
Exactly!
Emcie
Roar Guru
I was being diplomatic, extremely diplomatic
Jimbob
Guest
These days? A opposed to back in the old days when he was a high quality journalist?
Emcie
Roar Guru
And then you'd have people saying the police are protecting him. At any rate, Weidler had reportedly already met directly with the accusers family so the fire was well and truely lit. I don't think anyone's under any illusions about the quality of Weidlers work these days, but I don't see how the police have done anything wrong. They've literally given no information other then that they are looking into it.
Diplomatt
Guest
Yes Emcie. Simply say "no comment" to Mr Wiedler rather than adding fuel to the fire of grubby so called journalism would be the professional thing to do. They wouldn't print that he's been charged - if he hasn't. That would leave them open to a defamation suit.
Emcie
Roar Guru
So you're suggesting that the right thing to do would have been for the police to stand by and watch a trial by media rather then to correct missinformation being spread around? Of course this is news because he's a public figure, just like it would be if he was in any other job that put him in the public eye.
Diplomatt
Guest
This wouldn’t be news if he wasn’t a RL player. They were under no obligation to say anything. Brett Stewart trial by Terrorgraph springs to mind.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Their right to silence? What? I don't see how the police have done anything wrong here, they can't just allow people to say charges have been laid against someone if its not true.
Diplomatt
Guest
Or they could have exercised their right to silence.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
The report is that she went to the NRL and the NRL Integrity unit considered it a police matter and handed it to them. But who knows with reporting these days...
Paul
Roar Guru
Another reason why the Dragons should be wary about taking on Hayne. Even if he's innocent, the investigation is a distraction the red V doesn't need.
Paul
Roar Guru
Did she go to the NRL or did the NRL find out about it and decided to investigate?
Paul
Roar Guru
Who said the NSW Police leaked the news? I got the impression someone else leaked it to 9 and the cops made statements to clarify what they were doing. If anything, they've acted professionally by making it clear Hayne hasn't been charged.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Acknowledge that depending on the circumstances and severity of the incident, it can be difficult for the victim to come forward and report an instance of abuse or worse so I am wary of second guessing them and certainly don't want t judge them. But if the incident is very serious I am a little curious why someone goes to the NRL about it and not the police.
Diplomatt
Guest
He hasn’t been charged. Seems unfair and unprofessional of the NSW Police to be leaking this to the press.