NRL star Jarryd Hayne won't be locking himself indoors but you also won't find him out in Kings Cross again after a second late-night incident in the notorious Sydney suburb.
Hayne has declared the Cross off-limits after resolving an allegation of assault that was sparked following a clash with a
25-year-old man at the Beach Haus nightclub on Sunday morning.
The 23-year-old Parramatta and NSW State of Origin star spoke with the other man involved on Monday and, amid conflicting reports of what actually happened, both agreed to withdraw their statements to police.
Hayne had surprised many by returning to Kings Cross three years after he had been shot at following an altercation involving NRL players.
Asked if he would be heading back there, he said: "Ah, no."
As to why he'd gone back: "That's a good question," he said.
"I learned a good lesson that (last) time and I don't go anywhere near as much as what I used to.
"It was a birthday party that was a friend of mine and that's why I went there."
Hayne had made a complaint to police following the incident, which occurred around 1.30am on Sunday.
The Eels five-eighth read a statement before answering questions at a media conference alongside club chief executive Paul Osborne on Monday afternoon.
Hayne did not go into the specifics of the incident, which reportedly had involved a headbutt.
"There was some banter that went on between me and another person at the venue that was lighthearted at first but ended up going a bit too far," Hayne said.
"I contacted Paul Osborne the next morning because I was upset at what happened and we went to the police.
"This morning, I spoke with the person and, after talking with him, we have both decided not to pursue the matter any further.
"After speaking to him, we both agreed that there was no malice intended.
"I just wanted to move forward. There was no hard feelings between us and we're both happy to move forward."
Osborne said high-profile NRL stars were "lightning rods" for troublemakers, an issue which also arose when the Wests Tigers' Benji Marshall was charged with assault in March.
Hayne could only agree.
"You do (get targeted) but you don't want to harp on it," he said.
"There's been many occasions where things like that have happened but it was something that just escalated.
"What do you do? Do you lock yourself up in a cage 24/7?
"I'm sure other people would like me to but I'm a human being and it's getting to the point where you can't even go out and celebrate a friend's birthday."
Osborne, who said alcohol had not been a major factor, would not be drawn on whether his players would face restrictions on their social lives.
"I'd prefer if none of my players went out to any nightclub any night and drank any alcohol, but that's not going to happen," he said.
Osborne said NRL boss David Gallop was satisfied with the outcome.
- AAP
Jarryd Hayne. Photo / Getty Images
NRL star Jarryd Hayne won't be locking himself indoors but you also won't find him out in Kings Cross again after a second late-night incident in the notorious Sydney suburb.
Hayne has declared the Cross off-limits after resolving an allegation of assault that was sparked following a clash with a
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