Jarryd Hayne gets engaged to partner Amellia Bonnici after sexual assault trial

Jarryd Hayne’s legal troubles haven’t gone away but he and his partner Amellia Bonnici shared some good news on Christmas Day.

Jarryd Hayne popped the question.

Jarryd Hayne has had a turbulent year but he was all smiles yesterday after adding to his Christmas cheer.

The former NRL star revealed on social media he is now engaged to partner Amellia Bonnici, posting a photo to social media of her with a ring on her finger.

“‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favour from the LORD’. Proverbs 18:22 NKJV,” Hayne wrote.

“It’s been a rollercoaster. But I’m thankful for God and what the Holy Spirit has done through us. It’s only by the grace of God we are here and were excited moving forward as Husband n Wife,” he added with a love heart emoji.

The post was liked by nearly 20,000 Instagram users at the time of writing and plenty of people commented, sending the couple their best wishes.

Eels fullback Clint Gutherson wrote “Congrats student” with a kissing face emoji. Fellow footy players including Kevin Naiqama, Darcy Lussick, Akuila Uate, Tim Mannah, Ash Taylor and rugby union star Quade Cooper also congratulated the pair.

Hayne re-posted multiple messages of support from his friends on his Instagram story.

Hayne and Bonnici already have a child together, daughter Beliviah Ivy.

Hayne, 32, hasn’t played in the NRL since 2018 and learnt earlier this month he will face trial again next year on sexual assault charges after a jury in Newcastle could not agree on a verdict.

Hayne’s retrial is set to start in March after his first trial ended with a hung jury.

Earlier in December Judge Peter Whitford SC discharged a jury of eight men and four women following an eight-day trial, which started on November 24, after they failed to reach a verdict on either of Hayne’s two charges.

The 32-year-old has pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent recklessly causing actual bodily harm.

After the jury was discharged Mr Hayne told media outside court he was “disappointed” with the result, saying he “told the truth and we’ll do it all again”.

Police allege the former NSW fullback forced himself on a woman, then 26, at her home on the outskirts of Newcastle on grand final night 2018.

Hayne is accused performing oral and digital sex without her consent, causing two lacerations to her vagina and significant bleeding.

He denies the allegations against him and says the sexual encounter was consensual, and claims the woman’s injuries were an accident likely caused by his finger.

Bonnici was by Hayne’s side throughout his trial, regularly accompanying him to and from court.

Hayne was unstoppable in his prime.