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SYDNEY - New Zealand Warriors rugby league player Michael Crockett faced a Sydney court today on sexual assault charges as his teammates trained in Auckland.
The Warriors winger entered no plea at Downing Centre Local Court on two counts of sexual intercourse without consent in Sydney in the early hours of August 6.
Magistrate David Heilpern continued Crockett's bail and granted a request by his lawyer Geoff Bellew that he need not return for his next appearance in the same court on November 13.
It means Crockett, 24, is unlikely to be required back in Sydney to face the charges until some time next year.
Dressed in a dark suit, Crockett was accompanied by leading Sydney barrister Bellew, SC, also a Manly Leagues Club director who is regularly employed by National Rugby League (NRL) players.
Both refused to comment as they left the court after a brief appearance.
Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said last month Crockett denied the allegations and the club would support him.
"Michael is certain he has done nothing wrong and he will be defending any allegation made against him," Scurrah said.
Warriors football manager Don Mann said Crockett would rejoin his teammates for training in Auckland tomorrow ahead of their NRL qualifying final against Parramatta on Friday.
The alleged incident happened after the Warriors drew with Sydney Roosters in Sydney on August 5.
Redfern police received a complaint of sexual assault later on August 6.
After several days of interviews Crockett was formally charged by New South Wales police on August 13, but today was his first court appearance.
Before continuing Crockett's bail, Magistrate Heilpern asked if the complaint was above the legal age of consent, which police prosecutor Laurie Gray said she was.
Magistrate Heilpern said police had until October 16 to serve the brief of evidence.
Sydney-born Crockett is in his first year at the Warriors after joining from Wests Tigers, for whom he made his NRL debut last year.
He played 12 of the Warriors' 24 games in the NRL regular season, with a dislocated elbow and suspension for a high tackle ruling him out of the others.
- NZPA
