The 35-year-old – who made a short-lived attempt to break into the NFL – was found guilty on two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, New South Wales district court papers showed.

Hayne, who denied the charges of sexually assaulting a woman in 2018 at her home in Newcastle, north of Sydney, shook his head as the verdict was read, local reports said.

After his first trial ended with a hung jury, Hayne was convicted in a second trial in 2021 and sentenced to a maximum of five years and nine months.

But the decision was overturned on appeal last year, leading to another retrial.

Hayne, a former Parramatta Eels star, was the National Rugby League’s player of the year in 2009 and 2014.

He made more than 20 appearances in State of Origin matches, which pit New South Wales against Queensland.

He was capped 12 times by Australia and four times by Fiji, where his father comes from, as well as representing Fiji in rugby sevens.

Hayne attempted a career in the NFL in 2015 as a kick returner and running back, but experienced only fleeting success during a tough first season with the San Francisco 49ers.