Solicitor who helped Jarryd Hayne beat rape conviction lashes out over the ex-star getting caught up in AFL ‘Wacky Wednesday’ party disgrace

The lawyer who helped Jarryd Hayne beat a rape conviction has lashed out after the former NRL star was caught up in the GWS ‘Wacky Wednesday’ party scandal.

Hayne, 36, was released from prison on June 12 after his convictions were quashed, having spent more than a year behind bars after a jury in April 2023 found him guilty of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

The decision by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal brought an end to a six-year saga that saw the two-time Dally M winner face three trials after he was accused of raping a woman in Newcastle on NRL grand final night in 2018.

However, Hayne was back making headlines after GWS player Josh Fahey dressed up as him during his club’s controversial end of season party.

It is understood that Fahey also simulated inappropriate acts on a sex doll during a skit.

Fahey was one of 13 Giants players punished for their involvement in the controversial party.

Margaret Cunneen SC, the barrister in charge of Hayne’s appeal, has hit out at the incident.

‘It’s unfortunate that Mr Hayne’s face is used in reportage of this fancy dress party given the restoration of his good character and quashing of his conviction in by the Court of Criminal Appeal,’ Cunneen told News Corp.

Hayne has recently returned to footy by  joining Fiji’s team for rugby league’s Pacific Championship.

13 GWS players were sanctioned by the AFL over the club’s end of season Wacky Wednesday celebrations

Hayne played 120 matches for Fiji from 2008 to 2018 and also played five games for the nation’s rugby union Sevens team, and described his new position as ‘awesome’ on Monday.

Fiji coach Wise Kativerata contacted Hayne after he was released from jail and the appointment developed from there.

‘I rang him just to talk to him and see how he was going,’ Kativerata told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘I wanted to make sure he was OK. He was happy to hear from us.

‘After a while I told him about rugby league in Fiji and how it really needed a lift.

Hayne is currently helping Fiji’s team for rugby league’s Pacific Championship

‘Then I asked him to come along and help with the team because I knew it would be good for him and good for us.

‘At first he thought I was joking.’

The NRL has approved Hayne’s job with the team.