Jarryd Hayne may face suspension for referee touch in Gold Coast Titans debut

Jarryd Hayne has rejected suggestions he deliberately touched referee Gavin Reynolds during his hyped NRL return, saying: "I tried to stay as far away as I could".

Apart from creating a host of headlines in his first game with the Gold Coast Titans, Hayne could also be facing suspension following the release of a Fox Sports still allegedly showing Hayne making contact with Reynolds.

Social media lit up after the game with suggestions Hayne may have contacted the match official.

While the 'contrary conduct' charge was not even in existence the last time the Gold Coast Titans recruit played league, the 28-year-old admitted he was aware of its existence.

Hayne added, however, that he could not understand how players like St George Illawarra forward Tyson Frizell could be suspended for innocuously brushing against a match official.

Asked about the alleged referee contact, Hayne shrugged: "I don't know what I did.

"I tried to stay as far away as I could.

"Was it a touch or did he walk back into me? I'm not too sure.

"I really don't understand what the go is with the whole 'accidentally touching the ref thing'.

"It's probably the biggest mind blowing thing that a person can miss a week for accidentally touching a ref. It's sad for someone to miss a week for a non-aggressive thing I guess."

During his time playing with the San Francisco 49ers, Hayne was regularly sharing the field with match officials.

"They've got a pretty tricky job (in the NFL) because they stand (everywhere)," he said. "One's in the line of scrimmage, one's in the defence as well so he's got to kind of read plays and get in and out as well.

"They've been run over a couple of times as well."

While playing in the US, Hayne did have one hilarious - and public - exchange with a referee, when he was micced up for a game against the Green bay Packers.

During the game, Hayne chipped veteran official Greg Steed after receiving body contact from Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis following a 'fair catch' call.

"Aye! Are you serious?" Hayne shouted. "Hey, rules are rules, man. Rules are rules. I may be from Australia but I know them."