Karma has been swift and ruthless for a former NRL star who defended convicted rapist Jarryd Hayne on social media.
Tony ‘T-Rex’ Williams, who played with Hayne at Parramatta in the NRL, has been sacked by the New York Freedom over his extraordinary social media rant after Hayne was jailed on Thursday.
Hayne was found guilty of two counts of rape in the Newcastle District Court on Thursday and will spend at least the next three years and eight months behind bars following the 2018 incident.
‘Fn dogs… To all Haynsy’s family and friends stay strong for him and let God do his thing I love you all…God always prevails,’ Williams wrote after the sentence.
Tony ‘T-Rex’ Williams, who played with Hayne at Parramatta in the NRL, has been sacked by the New York Freedom over his extraordinary social media rant after Hayne was jailed on Thursday
Former NRL player Tony Williams took to Instagram (pictured) to showcase his support for Jarryd Hayne, who was jailed on Thursday for sexual assault
‘Before I let this be just want to congratulate the victim and the so called justice system… you’ve sent an innocent brotherly to jail away from his kids you bunch of flops… that’s all respectively.’
Williams’ rant proved to be foolish on many levels, with NY Freedom releasing their star recruit from the fledgling North American Rugby League competition before a ball was kicked.
‘We cannot control what others do, but we can control how we respond,’ the club said in a statement.
‘In light of the comments made by Tony Williams, his contract with New York Freedom has been terminated.
‘New York Freedom condemns Tony’s the comments and his opinions are not the opinions of New York Freedom or any party associated with the club.
Tony Williams then issued a groveling apology (pictured) on Instagram after his rant defending Jarryd Hayne resulted in the New York Freedom ripping up his pending contract
Tony ‘T-Rex’ Williams (pictured) won a NRL premiership with Manly after starting his career at Parramatta with Jarryd Hayne
‘We are dedicated to growing the great sport of rugby league and are committed to it always being an inclusive, safe and family orientated environment.’
Williams, 32, then offered an apology of sorts – again on social media – after his contract was ripped up.
‘I apologise for the choice of words I used and to anyone I may have hurt,’ he said.
‘I will never leave a brothers back when he needs me to hold him up.’
Krisnan Inu, who also defended Hayne on Instagram and called for the victim to ‘actually get the help you need’, plays for Salford in the UK Super League.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the club for comment.
Fellow ex-teammate Krisnan Inu also weighed into the discussion, encouraging the victim to ‘actually get the help you need’ – despite Hayne’s guilty verdict in the Newcastle District Court
Inu’s show of support for Hayne on Instagram could see playing days now numbered
Williams, who won a NRL premiership with the Manly Sea Eagles in 2011, is anything but a clean skin himself.
He lost his licence after inexplicably being caught drink-driving in 2018 with three kids in his car.
The same year, he failed a cocaine test for a second time under the NRL’s illicit drugs policy, which saw him eventually sacked by the Parramatta Eels.
His contract with New York Freedom ahead of the North American Rugby League’s inaugural season, which starts on June 19, was the final chance to salvage his flagging career.
New York’s signing of Williams was initially viewed as a boost for the fledgling competition.
Inu’s show of support for Hayne on Instagram could see playing days now numbered.
‘Not enough words can express how I’m feeling for my lil bro,’ he wrote.
‘Don’t think justice was served to its proper intent. To the so-called victim. Hope you actually get the help you need, because the things that was said about my boy, wasn’t what he’s about. Never has, never will be.
Krisnan Inu (pictured left) played alongside fallen star Jarryd Hayne at the Parramatta Eels – Inu has come under fire for supporting Hayne and shaming the victim on social media
St George Illawarra star Corey Norman (pictured right) caught up with Jarryd Hayne this week just two days before he was jailed
‘I’m praying for you my Uso. Keep your faith strong like it has been, and let your loved ones come together to help look after your family. Love you Bula.
‘And to his loving family, if there’s anything youse need, I got youse.’
The defiant public response from Williams and Inu infuriated many, who felt some entitled footballers need to be accountable for their deplorable behaviour off-the field.
Current NRL player Corey Norman, himself no stranger to controversy in what has been a colourful career, caught up with Hayne just two days before he was jailed.
The St George Illawarra Dragons playmaker uploaded a photo to Instagram on Tuesday with the caption ‘catchups’ with the fallen star.
The post attracted plenty of criticism, with Norman later disabling comments on the photo due to the level of negativity from stunned followers.
In 2016, Norman was banned for eight games and fined $20,000 for breaches of his Eels contract, including being caught in possession of drugs at the Star City casino.
Fallen NRL star Jarryd Hayne (pictured with wife Amellia Bonnici) has been jailed for three years and eight months
Krisnan Inu (pictured left), Jarryd Hayne and Tony Williams all made their NRL debuts with the Parramatta Eels
Former Wallaby turned author Peter Fitzsimons tweeted that ‘Hayne is a rapist and does not deserve public support. Players still playing catch up on how to hold each other accountable.’
Fitzsimons also felt Hayne’s sentence of three years and eight months was lenient given the seriousness of the charges.
Fellow academic Dilan Thampapillai, from the Australian National University, felt it was ‘shocking’ and ‘disappointing’ that Hayne had people defending his actions following his conviction.
Following Hayne’s sentencing, chaotic scenes unfolded outside the Newcastle court.
One of his supporters was dubbed a ‘disgrace’ by police after he appeared to spit on the ground near the victim as she left the court.
Another female journalist was ‘highly intimidated’ by the angry mob, who were incensed at the legal outcome moments earlier.
Hayne, who Judge Helen Syme noted has ‘never expressed any remorse’, is expected to appeal his sentence.