Jarryd Hayne

ABC reports the former professional footballer will be eligible for parole in just under two years.

Judge Graham Turnbull told Sydney's Downing Court Hayne's offending was "below mid-range" and he had a "seemingly low risk of reoffending".

Hayne has faced three trials over the assault, with the first ending in a hung jury and the guilty verdict of the second quashed.

Today's sentence was lighter than his previous sentence of five years and nine months.

A jury in March found Hayne guilty of two counts of aggravated sexual assault which the victim said left her feeling "dirty, scared and ashamed".

Hayne must serve a minimum of three years and eight months.

In handing down her sentence, District Court Judge Helen Syme said she found that Hayne was fully aware that the victim was not consenting and went ahead anyway.

"The reliability and honesty of the victim's evidence was tested at length and in my view, her reliability was not in doubt. She said no several times," Judge Syme said.

The dual Dally M Medallist, NSW State of Origin and Australian test star on Monday became a convicted rapist. Stints representing state and country, flying high in the NFL or chasing an Olympics rugby sevens dream in Fijian paradise faded from view.

A Sydney jury found the 33-year-old guilty of sexual intercourse without consent of a woman in her Newcastle home in 2018. It was the same night as the NRL grand final and Hayne had been at a buck's party.

He denied any criminality, but said he regretted what happened between the pair.

The 30-year-old refused to answer questions from reporters when he was dropped off in a grey ute outside Castle Hill Police Station yesterday.

The two-time Dally M award-winner spent 10 minutes with police before trying to dodge the cameras as he got back into the ute and drove off.

NSW Police confirmed the charge, which came after a 26-year-old woman lodged a complaint to the NRL Integrity Unit earlier this year.

Hayne is just one of a number of NRL players included, with the likes of Suliasi Vunivalu, Akuila Uate, Kane Evans, Marcelo Montoya and Jayson Bukuya also named.

Wests Tigers speeder Kevin Naiqama will again captain the side from fullback, while Hayne will line-up in the halves.

While the backline has plenty of firepower, injuries to Viliame Kikau, Korbin Sims, Daniel Saifiti and Api Koroisau will mean the forward pack’s depth will be tested.

Fiji Bati squad to face Papua New Guinea:

Arthur is one of few coaches to have prospered with colourful personality back at his club.

Hayne has played under eight coaches in his 11-year NRL career.

Arthur began his turnaround of the Eels with Hayne in his team in 2013 and 2014, where the NSW Origin star won the Dally M in his last season before shifting to American Football.

The Eels mentor told Fox League's NRL 360 that the key would again be giving Hayne a voice in the club's premiership charge.

Both in his return to the Parramatta Eels and clearing his name amid rape accusations set for a Santa Clara courthouse in April.

When he signed with the Eels just over a month ago, the most common question asked was whether he would be the same player again.

Now there are far more pressing concerns at play, with some wondering if he will ever be the same person again.

Not many would have done what Jarryd Hayne and the Eels orchestrated on the first day of his second coming on Wednesday.

Hayne declined to answer questions on the December 2015 matter when he fronted the media after returning to NRL club Parramatta on Wednesday for the first time since 2014.

His lawyers later revealed in a statement that he had made contact with the plaintiff, while Hayne said he had told his US legal representatives to have the matter resolved "as quick as possible" after it was revealed a civil suit had been launched last month.

"I confirm that I unequivocally and vehemently deny the allegations made against me and I will be vigorously defending the matter," Hayne said.

Speaking from the Eels’ pre-season camp in Alice Springs, Norman backed the club’s decision to sign Hayne and is confident the guidance of coach Brad Arthur will provide the one-time Parramatta poster boy with the ideal environment to rediscover his mojo.

“I got the opportunity to play with him in 2014 and had a great year that year,” Norman told NRL.com after training in the Northern Territory.

“I know he hasn’t had the best 18 months ... but I think he’s coming back here to really get a bit of credibility back. He’s only on a one-year deal and he did take a big pay cut.

Following Thursday's announcement that Hayne and the Titans have parted ways, Gold Coast now have the salary cap space to target a quality fullback. Friend suggested the club look within to find a replacement.