14 Sep 2016

Hayne denies any wrongdoing

9:14 am on 14 September 2016

Gold Coast NRL star Jarryd Hayne says he had no idea of the alleged bikie affiliation of Chris Bloomfield after video emerged of the pair partying together.

Gold Coast's Jarryd Hayne

Gold Coast's Jarryd Hayne Photo: Photosport

Footage appeared on Snapchat showing Hayne and alleged Hells Angels gang member Bloomfield at the home of fellow Titan Nene Macdonald on Saturday night, prompting more questions about NRL players' links to alleged criminals.

Hayne said in a club statement he has not met former Titans under-20s player Bloomfield before going for end-of-season drinks on Saturday, a day after the Titans' season ended at the hands of the Broncos.

"There were some people there that I knew and some people there I didn't know, including Chris Bloomfield who I met for the first time," he said.

"As any human would do, I said hello to those I came into contact with and was friendly as normal. I understand Bloomfield filmed a few short Snapchat videos of me rapping to an Eminem song.

"At the time, I was not aware of this person's history with the law and alleged bikie affiliations."

The videos included Bloomfield, who is facing court over extortion allegations, saying Hayne gave him $5000, but Hayne said it was just a "prank".

"I also want to make it very clear that a comment in the video which suggested I supplied Chris with a large sum of money is not true. This money was not mine," Hayne said.

"This was a prank initiated by Bloomfield and was not intended to be taken seriously."

On Facebook, Hayne said "I take my responsibility as a role model very seriously".

"For me, that means trying my best to not offend people and not taking part in any illegal activity. However, I cannot help how people approach or film me," he wrote.

"It's unfortunate this story has been blown out of proportion and if nothing else, it has reminded me of the extraordinary power of social media and how careful I need to be with people I randomly meet."

The Titans said an internal investigation was underway to find out what occurred on the weekend around the video.

A statement said the club understood a number of players and their friends went to the Gold Coast Turf Club, where Bloomfield joined the group, before making their way back to Macdonald's house.

The Titans said they had no problem with their players having break-up drinks at a function room and then at a team-mate's home.

"However, the club and our players have learned a powerful lesson from this event," the club said.

"As a direct result the club will be seeking briefings from senior Gold Coast police involved in the crackdown on bikies.

"We will put in place a structure so that our players are better equipped to distance themselves from individuals who seek to associate with them."

The Titans said they was cooperating with the NRL integrity unit and Rugby League Players Association to educate players on how to avoid the wrong sort of external influences.

Andrew Fifita's apparent support for one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge and photos of Corey Norman, Junior Paulo and James Segeyaro drinking with convicted criminals have put a focus on criminal affiliation in the NRL this year.

-ABC